.au domain eligibility explained: who can register what in Australia

What are .au domains, and who controls them?

All .au domain names — including .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, and the newer direct .au — are managed by auDA (the Australian Domain Name Authority). auDA sets the eligibility rules for who can register each type, and registrars like DS Webhosting Services are required to enforce them.

Unlike .com or .net domains (which anyone in the world can register), Australian .au domains have strict eligibility requirements. This is by design — it keeps the .au namespace trusted and relevant to genuine Australian entities.

The direct .au domain

In 2022, auDA introduced the direct .au — a shorter option sitting alongside the existing second-level domains. So instead of yourbusiness.com.au, you can now register yourbusiness.au.

Who can register a direct .au?

• Any individual or organisation that already holds a matching .com.au, .net.au, .org.au or other eligible .au second-level domain
• Australian registered businesses (with an active ABN)
• Australian registered companies (with an active ACN)
• Australian individuals (for personal or trading use)

The direct .au is still subject to the same "close and substantial connection" requirement — the domain name must relate to your business, brand, or personal name.

.com.au eligibility

This is the most common Australian domain type — and also the most misunderstood.

To register a .com.au you must be:

• An Australian registered company (Pty Ltd, Ltd, etc.)
• A business trading under a registered business name
• A foreign company licensed to operate in Australia
• An applicant for a trademark containing the domain name

And the domain must:

• Exactly match, or be an acronym of, your company name, business name, or trademark
• Have a "close and substantial connection" to your organisation

Common mistakes

• Registering a .com.au for a business name you haven't formally registered with ASIC. The ABN alone isn't sufficient — the trading name on your ABN must match the domain.
• Choosing a descriptive or keyword-only domain (e.g. sydneyplumber.com.au) without a corresponding registered business name that matches.
• Forgetting to renew your business name with ASIC — if your business name lapses, your domain eligibility technically lapses with it.

.net.au eligibility

Originally intended for network infrastructure providers, .net.au in practice follows very similar eligibility rules to .com.au. You still need an ABN/ACN and a matching registered entity name. It's a reasonable option when your preferred .com.au is taken, but it doesn't carry a meaningful SEO or trust advantage over .com.au for most businesses.

.org.au eligibility

Intended for Australian non-profit or charitable organisations. Eligible registrants include:

• Incorporated associations
• Charitable organisations
• Non-commercial community groups
• Clubs and societies registered in Australia

Commercial businesses are not eligible for .org.au, even if they have an ABN.

.id.au — the personal domain

Less commonly known, .id.au is available to Australian individuals for personal use. It requires proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency. It's a good option for personal websites, portfolios, or freelancers who want an unmistakably Australian address without a business registration.

Practical tips

Check WHOIS before you build

Before designing a brand around a domain, check whether it's actually available and that you're eligible to register it. Use the domain search on our products page to check availability instantly.

Keep your business registrations current

auDA can, and occasionally does, audit domain eligibility. If your ABN-linked business name lapses, you're technically in breach of the eligibility rules for your domain.

One registrant, many domains

A single ABN can support multiple .com.au registrations — useful for brands, products, or services under the same business umbrella, as long as each domain matches a registered name or trademark.