Rules for Domain Name Registration

Our advice

For a business based in Australia a .com.au domain name is generally best, but if you're trading globally then you should probably register a .com too. The .com.au / .com name is the most important to secure, but if this is unavailable you could consider a .net.au / .net instead (in this event look closely at the owner of the equivalent .com!).

Some domains (notably .au) are strictly regulated - the sections below list the rules that apply to each type of domain name.

Australian commercial: .com.au and .net.au

Popular amongst commercial entities, based in Australia, serving an Australian market. Must be an Australian registered company, or business to secure a domain (an ABN, BRN, BN is required), and must meet one of the following registration criteria:

International: .com, .biz, .net, .info, .org

Policy free, anyone can register any domain name, regardless of their rights to that domain name. If you own a company name, or a trademark, it does not prevent someone registering that name.

Netregistry alternative commercial: .au.com

.au.com is not restricted or regulated by .au Policy Rules. It is therefore policy free, anyone can register any domain name on a first-come-first-served basis.

New Zealand, China, UK: .nz, .cn, .uk

Policy free, anyone can register any domain name, regardless of their rights to that domain name. If you own a company name, or a trademark, it does not prevent someone registering that name.

Australian non-profit: .org.au

Charities, or not-for-profit organisations, as specified in your articles of association, you must be a registered company, or incorporated association to acquire an org.au domain name, and must meet one of the following criteria:

Australian club or association: .asn.au

Applicants must either an incorporated association, registered political party, registered trade union, or a sporting or special interest club operating within Australia, and must meet one of the following criteria:

Australian individual: .id.au

For individuals who reside in Australia. Applicant must meet the following criteria:

ABN: 84 678 097 199 :: Phone: 02 4017 0793 :: E-mail
rules for domain name registration