From 24 March 2022, anyone with a local connection to Australia (including businesses, associations and individuals) will be able to register a new category of domain name which is a shorter and simpler domain names.

What this means for you?

• Shorter Simpler domain names will end in .au rather than: .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .gov.au or .edu.au.
• All Australian businesses will have until 20 September to reserve their .au equivalent domain name, otherwise it will becomes available to the general public.
• This new category of domain name will create another avenue for cybercriminals to conduct fraudulent cyber activities, where they can register a .au domain name and use it to impersonate your business by registering yourbusiness.au where you have already registered yourbusiness.com.au.

How to protect yourself?

To help protect your business from opportunistic cybercriminals, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) recommends that all Australian businesses with existing domain names register their .au equivalents before 20 September 2022, otherwise that name will become available to the public on a first come, first served basis. 

Reserve your .au domain name by visiting any of these auda accredited registrars: https://www.auda.org.au/accredited-registrars

Further information on these changes and the registration process is available on auda.org.au/au-domain-names:

• About .au Domain Names
• The .au Direct Launch
• The Priority Allocation Process