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Important Information for .AU Domain Holders

Enforced by auDA: Starting 20 May 2026, .au Domain Administration Limited (auDA) is strictly enforcing compliance checks requiring all .au domains to be linked to an active, verifiable business entity at renewal.

  • Stricter Renewal Enforcement (Starting 20 May 2026): Domain registrars must verify active business details before renewing any .au domain name (e.g., .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .au).
  • Timing of Checks: Compliance verification takes place during the 90-day renewal window prior to expiry.
  • Registrant Eligibility Requirements:
    • The Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN) linked to the domain registration must be current and active with the ATO/ASIC.
    • Domains associated with inactive, lapsed, deregistered, or changed business entities will be blocked from renewing.
  • Impact of Non-Compliance: If validation fails, domain renewal is blocked, leading to website downtime, business email disruption, and eventual domain deletion.
  • Required Actions:
    • Verify Details: Check current domain registration records using official lookup tools (such as whois.auda.org.au).
    • Update Records: If ownership, business structure, or details have changed, complete an official Registrant Name Change (RNC) or follow reseller update instructions before the renewal window.
  • Fees & Policies:
    • Compliance checks are free of charge.
    • Performing a Registrant Name Change (RNC) carries a fee, which includes a standard 2-year domain re-registration.
    • Trademark-based eligibility checks will be introduced separately in a later phase.

What is auDA?

auDA (.au Domain Administration Limited) is the non-profit policy authority and self-regulatory body responsible for managing Australia’s Internet domain name system (.au).

  • Role & Governance:
    • Endorsed by the Australian Government (Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts) and recognized internationally by ICANN.
    • Responsible for developing and enforcing rules governing who can register .au domain names to ensure trust, transparency, and security across the Australian digital economy.
  • Core Responsibilities:
    • Policy & Rules: Establishes eligibility requirements for .au namespaces (e.g., ensuring .com.au domains belong to legitimate Australian businesses).
    • Accreditation: Licenses registry operators and accredits domain registrars to sell and manage .au web addresses.
    • Compliance & Security: Enforces domain licensing rules, manages registration compliance checks, handles consumer/industry complaints, and oversees dispute resolution (auDRP).