Protect your brand and digital identity by registering for a .au domain – without the .com

From today, businesses who can prove that they have a connection to Australia can opt for a shorter domain name, with the ability to drop the ‘.com’.

Entrepreneurs and small businesses with an existing .au domain name, such as .com.au, can register their .au domain from March the 24th. They can also register for a .au domain if it’s a completely new domain, i.e., no domain name already associated with .com.au, .org.au or .net.au.

Here’s what you need to know:

• .au direct is launching today, 24th March 2022
• You can register with any of the accredited vendors here
• Offers the option of a shorter, more memorable domain name, ie. confetticollab.au
• Owners of existing domain names will have 6 months to register the .au version of their domain, before it is opened to the general public

From March the 24th, Australian entrepreneurs with an existing .com.au domain name can apply for priority status to register its exact domain name match with an .au extension godaddy.au through GoDaddy. Eligible users have six months to complete this process before the .au domain name extension becomes available for the general population to purchase from September 20th. Domain customers can register an .au domain if the corresponding .com.au, .net.au or .org.au is not already taken.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Australian businesses, entrepreneurs and side-hustlers,” says GoDaddy Australia managing director, Tamara Oppen.

“A domain name is the heart of a local business digital identity, and the new .au extension can be essential in helping Australian businesses feel inherently Aussie and stand out in a market that is proud and passionate about supporting local,” she says.

“By registering their .au domain, entrepreneurs are not only enhancing their brand and local digital identity, but they are also preventing a competitor from taking that domain name, and potentially some of their customers. To create a strong online presence, it’s incredibly valuable to have a diverse range of domain extensions, and few are more exciting, valuable and local than .au. “We’re proud to be working with auDA (.au Domain Administration Limited) to make these local domains available to existing and aspiring Australian entrepreneurs, small businesses and side-hustlers.”

Rosemary Sinclair AM, CEO at auDA, says, “We’re thrilled to launch Australia’s newest namespace .au direct, the biggest innovation in .au in 20 years. Whether you are looking to register a new business domain name or are simply sending or receiving emails or using the web, we want Australia to know that .au is here.”

She says for Australian businesses, entrepreneurs and other internet users, .au direct will provide a greater choice of shorter, simpler and uniquely Australian domain names.

Businesses that already have a domain under .com.au or a similar site will have priority status to register the corresponding .au website in the six months after the launch.