.AU direct – the domain for all Australians.
Only $14.95 per year.
Did you know that you’re now able to register your own .AU domain if you’re based in Australia or operate a business in Australia?
Protect your brand, and get your hands on the newer, snappier domain extension that’s uniquely Australian!
The Priority Allocation Process is now open and will close on 20 Sept 2022.
Please note that if you choose not to register the direct match of your domain name in the new namespace by 20 September, it will become available to other eligible persons from that date.
.AU direct names are domain names directly before the '.au' such as getyour.au or pavlova.au
.AU direct names can also be known as the '.au namespace', and have been referred to as 'second level names' and 'direct registration'.
Aside from being shorter than existing namespaces (e.g. com.au or id.au names), .AU direct names will operate in an identical manner to names registered in other existing namespaces.
.AU direct names launched on 24 March 2022.
What makes .AU direct different from existing .AU domains?
» It's short, simple, and memorable
It’s amazing how two letters make the namespace simpler, catchier, and easier to type on mobile and web browsers!
» Anyone with an Australian presence can register
It’s for ALL Aussies who want to build a digital presence — whether you’re a blogger, an influencer, or a freelancer.
The rules for .AU Direct names
.AU Direct names will be for general use meaning any person or organisation can register them, provided they meet the eligibility criteria in the .AU Licensing Rules.
To be eligible for a .AU Direct name you must have a verifiable Australian presence, which includes being a citizen or permanent resident, or being an organisation registered in Australia. (The full definition of an Australian presence is in the definitions section of the .au Licensing Rules).
You can choose any name you like as long as it:
a) is available to be registered,
b) meets the syntax requirements, and
c) does not appear on the Reserved Names list, as set out in the Licensing Rules.
The .AU direct namespace is different to the namespaces that are intended for specific use e.g. com.au and net.au for commercial entities, org.au for not-for-profit entities, or edu.au for educational institutions.
How can I register .AU Direct domain names?
You can register .AU Direct domain names through our website at https://domainhostingshop.au/domain-names/
.AU Direct domain names are currently discounted at $14.95 per year, and are initially available for 1 year only. Future renewals will be available for periods between 1 and 5 years.
Priority Allocation Process
If you already own the matching .com.au or .net.au domain, the domain will show as unavailable, as it is reserved for you. You will need to contact us to request your .AU Direct domain name, so we can manually order the domain name for you. In your email, please provide your ABN or ACN for eligibility purposes, as well as tell us that you approve the $14.95 charge. This will ensure that you don't miss out in the rush. If your primary method of payment is bank deposit, please also pay the $14.95 per domain name in advance.
Registrants of .au domain names registered before 24 March 2022 (e.g. ending in com.au, net.au, org.au) are able to participate in the Priority Allocation Process, which runs from 24 March to 20 September 2022. The six-month period is known as the Priority Application Period.
The process by which registrants apply for and are allocated these names is the Priority Allocation Process, which is set out in the .AU direct Priority Implementation Rules.
Do direct .AU affect existing names in the .au ccTLD?
There are no changes to domain names in the existing namespaces (com.au, net.au, id.au, org.au, asn.au, edu.au and gov.au etc.) as a result of .AU direct names being launched. They will continue to exist and you’ll still be able to use, register and renew them as you do now.
Help! I want to order an .AU direct domain, but it's showing as UNAVAILABLE!
If you already own the matching .com.au or .net.au domain, the domain will show as unavailable, as it is likely already reserved for you.
You will need to contact us to request your .AU Direct domain name, so we can manually order the domain name for you. In your email, please provide your ABN or ACN for eligibility purposes, as well as tell us that you approve the $14.95 charge. This will ensure that you don't miss out in the rush. If your primary method of payment is bank deposit, please also pay the $14.95 per domain name in advance.