Earlier this year, a new domain extension .AU was released onto the web landscape.
The .AU direct domain names – like temerity.au – are shorter, simpler domain names and are now available as a new option for Australian Internet users. They are general purpose domains and available to anyone with a verified connection to Australia who wants one.
Should I get a .AU direct domain?
That is totally up to you. They allow businesses to acquire a short and sweet domain name that is easier and quicker to type. With less characters in the web address before your page URL, it is likely this will also help with SEO. It also ensures somebody else doesn’t register yourbusiness.au and try to poach traffic away from you.
Will the .AU direct domain affect existing .AU namespaces?
Existing .au domains, such as.com.au, .net.au, etc. will not be affected and will continue to operate as normal. You can still use, register, and renew existing AU domains now and into the future. Even if you don’t have plans to use the new .AU domain now, it is still worth registering. That way, no-one else can buy it and you’ll have it ready and waiting when you decide you want to use it for your business. In in the meantime, you can forward it to your main domain.
How do I secure the new .AU domain for my business?
Owners of an active domain name that is associated with the current .AU namespaces will be automatically eligible for a priority status to register the equivalent .AU direct domain until September 19, 2022.
Temerity Digital can assist you with your application for this via our domain registrar partner.
We are offering a special price to clients on all first year registrations of just $24+gst with renewals each year at $30+gst.
AU domain names will be able to be registered for a minimum period of 1 year and a maximum period of 5 years.
Please contact us to organise this.
What happens if there are multiple registrants eligible for the same .au direct domain name?
For example, holders of mybusiness.com.au and mybusiness.org.au are eligible to apply for priority status for mybusiness.au. In that case, the name will be allocated according to priority categories, which are determined by:
- The existing domain name creation date.
- The Priority cut-off date of 4 February 2018, as outlined in auDA’s Priority Allocation Process.
- An independent Policy Review Panel recommended the Priority Allocation Process and Priority Status cut-off date following a public consultation.
Note: unsuccessful contested domain name lodgements are non-refundable.
If you have priority rights to this .AU domain you can exercise those rights by submitting your application before 20 September 2022.
