A new all Australian .au domain name is arriving! — Online is Easy - Web Design & Training - empowering small business

.au direct Update:

In September 2022 it was a very busy month for .au domain names. The body who regulates the Australian .au domain space, auDA (pronounced 'ow-duh') stated that, ".au direct registrations continue to climb with more than 400,000 short, memorable .au direct domain names now registered". Many domain registrars were overwhelmed, some crashed, as many people left their registerations to the last minute.

Regrading the .au Priority Allocation

  • As directed by AUDA, the period for processing AU Direct priority applications is now closed.

  • If you have a priority allocation and have not yet received advice on its status, please bear with us, we will get back to you shortly.

  • An application with NO priority token (created after 20 September) will be submitted with other non-priority applications by us on your behalf when AUDA reopens on 4th October 2022 at 8:00am AEST.

  • A contested domain (i.e. you have priority status but so does someone else), we will be advising you shortly, and providing invoices for these contested applications.

If you would like to add the dot AU (.au) direct domain to your domain account, all you need to do is login to your existing account and select 'Register a new domain' (usually on the right hand menu).

We can't order it for you (as it needs your credit card from your account) but we'd be very happy to help you out - we'll need to screen share. If you use the 15 min Support option for $45 we will cap the price even if we go over (up to 45 mins - AUD$135 in value). Use this special link and organise a personalised screen share over a video call to help you out > Book a Domain Support Online

If you'd like some more information on the .au domain please, click on either:

 

Can I get a .au domain?

From the 24 March 2022 the .au direct domain is live. This means that “anyone with a verified connection to Australia who wants to create or manage an online presence for themselves or their organisation” can register a .au direct domain name.

Existing 3rd level .au holders (i.e.- com.au, net.au, org.au, asn.au) had until 20 September 2022 to secure their brand, the new domain is now open slather for anybody.

Is my domain name safe?

The Australian Cyber Security Centre is expecting the new domain to become a magnet for fraudsters and domain-name squatters. They stated that “opportunistic cybercriminals could register your .au domain name in an attempt to impersonate your business.”

They said that, “Fraudsters and cybercriminals have a long history of exploiting new domain names by registering names that are equivalent or similar to existing domains, then using them to seed malware via emails or text messages linking to that domain.

Even where malware is not involved, fraudsters use fake renewal notices to trick domain registrants into paying unnecessary fees, or just to boost traffic to sites displaying ads.”

At under $15 per year, it’s really cheap and has many benefits for your online business, not least of which is simple brand security.

 

What is the .au direct domain?

Australian organisations now have the option to register a brand new .au domain name. It will be open to anyone with a connection to Australia.

It's a shorter, simpler domain name available as a new option for Australian internet users.

This will align Australia with other countries that already have the shorter domain names such as New Zealand (.nz), the United Kingdom (.uk) and the United States (.us).

I already own a domain?

You can still order .au through Online is Easy by logging into your account existing customer account.

 

4 reasons why .au is great for Australian businesses:

Memorable.

Shorter, simpler and easier to remember and type. Looks sharp on business cards and pull up banners.

Innovative.

Provides more opportunities for any organisation to create innovative names.

Authentic.

Verifies you're a genuine, credible business. Requires an ABN or ACN to register.

True Blue.

hey you! (au) — Globally recognisable, uniquely Australian and highly trusted. Couldn’t be anymore Aussie!

How did the .au direct domain rollout work?

Existing domain owners of (com.au, net.au, org.au, asn.au) will had the chance to apply for Priority Application Status until the 20 September 2022. During that time, auDA checked the priority application status of the existing domain before issuing a licence.

For example, Online is Easy have been the owner of the onlineiseasy.com.au domain name since we began in 2014, we will have priority Category 1 to register onlineiseasy.au.

Transfer Domains.

Own existing domains? Want to transfer to us. Transferring any .au is free if you’ve already paid for registration or renewal ↓

Login to Console.

Existing Online is Easy customers can log into your account through our console and pre-order their .au direct domain names ↓

Personal Support.

Need help? Book a Domain Audit online with Anthony for only $45 (registration fees not included). ↓

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

 
 

Scenarios

 
 
 

Online is Easy is a trusted Australian business based in Gunaikurnai country (Gippsland, Victoria). Our team provides personal support and service for domain registration. You can transfer, look up and/or register a domain name knowing that we’re here to back you up and support you.

Our latest blog post:

What does the business community think about the new .au domain?

Launch of .au domains will allow Australians to drop .com from web addresses

.au direct – a new way for Australian businesses to trade online
auDA | 1 Mar 2022

New domain name changes could leave your business or organisation at risk

New domain name changes could leave your business or organisation at risk.
ACSC | 23 Mar 2022

Launch of direct .au domain extension an opportunity for entrepreneurs
Ryan Morris-Reade
16 Mar 2022

Businesses urged to secure their name before 20 September.

Drop the .com, it’s just .au — Businesses urged to secure their name before 20 September.
David Braue, ACS
24 Mar 2022

Launch of .au domains will allow Australians to drop .com from web addresses

Launch of .au domains will allow Australians to drop .com from web addresses.
Josh Taylor @joshgnosis
21 Mar 2022