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Australians can now obtain a simpler slice of the internet for their hosting needs. The .au direct Top Level Domain (TLD) is available to existing domain holders for priority application of their domain name, or new customers for available domain names. Get your .au through Hostmax

.au will become the new standard in trust for the home of all things Australian online.

If you’re looking to establish a strong online presence in Australia, one of the first things you’ll need is an Australian domain name. Domain names are important for businesses of all sizes. They help customers find your website, build trust and credibility, and can be used for marketing purposes.



But before you go ahead and register AU domain names, there are a few things you need to know. Here are ten things to keep in mind before registering an AU domain name:

What is a .au domain name? 

.au domain extension is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) specifically for Australia. The .au domain is managed by the au Domain Administration (auDA) on behalf of the Australian Government. As of July 2018, the domain registry is operated by Afilias.

Ten things you need to know before you register for an au domain name:

Before you register an AU domain name, there are a few things you need to know. Here are the top ten:

1. On March 24, 2022, the .au domain was launched.

Australian citizens can register .au domains directly at the second level, such as yourname.au.



If you have an existing second-level domain name, such as yourname.com.au or yourname.net.au, you can add the .au to it and create a shorter version of your own website address that is more memorable for customers as yourname.au.

2. You can register through one of the participating auDA authorised registrars.

If you want to register a .au domain name, you can do so through one of the many participating registrars.

A list of authorised registrars can be found on the auDA website.

When choosing a registrar, it’s important to compare prices and services to find one that best suits your needs.

3. This is the most significant innovation in .au in more than 20 years.

The introduction of the .au domain is the most significant innovation since the launch of com.au in 1986.

It provides Australians with a more memorable and shorter web address that is easier to brand and promote.

4. It allows for a shorter, more straightforward .au domain name. 

The .au domain enables the registration of shorter and more straightforward .au domain names.

This is especially beneficial for businesses that want to create a more memorable web address for their customers.

Some examples of shorter .au domain names include yourname.au, mysite.au, or ourcompany.au.

5. Everyone with an Australian Presence is welcome to use .au domain.

The .au domains are only available to businesses and individuals with an Australian presence (Australian citizens Permanent Residents, or registered companies in Australia.) 

An Australian presence is a connection to Australia. Having an Australian presence is a key requirement for any person or organisation who wants to hold a .au domain name. You can further see more info about “Australian Presence” here.

6. A great alternative for entrepreneurs and new online businesses.

The .au domain is also helpful for entrepreneurs and new business online.

Whether you’re starting a business from scratch or an existing business that’s looking to rebrand or refresh your online presence, having .au at the end of your domain name focuses on Australian customers and builds consumer trust. It will act as a stamp of credibility and trust as Australians and increase your brand’s validity.

7. It complements current Australian domains rather than replacing them.

The .au domain complements existing Australian domains such as com.au and net.au and is not intended to replace them.

If you have an existing com.au or net.au domain name, you can keep it and add the .au domain for your safety. Registering for the new .au domain ensures that you own your business domain and avoid potential confusion amongst other companies or prospective clients.

8. .au is now on par with its foreign peers.

The .au domain puts Australia on par with other countries that have already introduced similar second-level domains, such as .uk for the United Kingdom, .nz for New Zealand, .ca for Canada, .cn for China and more.

It also provides Australians with a more competitive edge in the global marketplace.

9. All .au direct domains with an existing and exact matching “.au domain” follow the priority allocation process.

All .au direct domains that correspond to an existing .au domain will be put on a 6-month “Priority Hold” from the 24 of March 2022 until the 20 of September 2022 to allow the registrant of an existing “.au domain” to apply for “Priority Status” to register the exact matching .au direct domain (6-month Priority Allocation Period). this allows your business to use to register its existing domain name as a “.au direct domain” before it becomes generally available to the public.

Please take note that companies or organizations that are registered to do business in Australia can register .au domain on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. Check the status of domain names.

Before you register a domain name, it’s important to check the domain name’s status to ensure that it’s available. You can do this by searching the WHOIS database.



If the domain name is available, you can proceed with registration.

If the domain name is already registered, you will need to contact the current registrant to see if they are willing to sell the domain name to you.