Today AuDA announce the launch of a new .au domain name space, on 24 March 2022. They are calling the project .au direct.
What is .au direct?
.au direct refers to domain names registered directly before the .au (e.g. getyour.au).
Why is .au direct being introduced?
.au direct is an exciting innovation for Australia’s Internet domain that will complement the existing suite of Australian namespaces (e.g. com.au and org.au) and:
- Deliver a wider choice of available names in the Australian domain
- Allow users to register shorter, more memorable online names
- Provide names that are easier to type and display on mobile devices.
The introduction of .au direct is the result of significant public consultation conducted in 2015, 2018 and 2019, and will bring Australia in line with many other country code Top Level Domains including the United Kingdom (.uk), Canada (.ca), the USA (.us) and New Zealand (.nz).
Existing .au domain registrations
It is important to note that existing domain registrations in the .au domain will continue to operate as they do today, provided the registration remains up-to-date. Eligible people will also continue to be able to register new names in the existing namespaces such as com.au, org.au, edu.au and gov.au.
Priority Allocation Process
The new .au domain name space.au will be licensed through via auDA and partners.
Existing holders of a .au licence (e.g. a registrant who holds getyour.com.au) will have the first opportunity to apply for Priority Status to register the exact match of their existing domain name at the .au direct level (e.g. getyour.au) through the Priority Allocation Process.
Under the Process, exact matches of all names in the Australian registry prior to launch will be reserved for .au direct during the six-month Priority Allocation Period, commencing in March 2022.
Where more than one registrant is eligible to apply for Priority Status for the same .au direct name, the name will be allocated according to priority categories, which are determined by:
- The existing domain name creation date
- The Priority cut-off date of 4 February 2018, as outlined in auDA’s Priority Allocation Process.
The Priority Allocation Process and Priority Status cut-off date were recommended by an independent Policy Review Panel following public consultation.
Where can I find out more?
auDA has prepared a fact sheet providing information about the new namespace and the Priority Allocation period.
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