.AU GeoTLD Launch

The .au direct namespace launched on 24 March 2022, opening second-level .au registrations (such as example.au) alongside the existing third-level namespaces (.com.au, .net.au, .org.au, and others). OpenSRS supports .au direct registrations through the same Control Panel and RWI workflows used for any other TLD. This article summarizes the launch policy, eligibility rules, and what resellers need to know to register .au direct domains.

Note: This article is a historical reference. The .au direct namespace launched in March 2022 and the Priority Allocation window closed on 20 September 2022. Current registrations operate under the general-availability rules. Confirm current eligibility, pricing, and policy with auDA and the OpenSRS .AU Domain Policies page before customer-facing communications.

What changed at launch

Before March 2022, .au names were only available at the third level (for example, example.com.au or example.org.au). The auDA decision to release the second-level .au namespace created a new class of shorter, brandable Australian domains. Existing third-level holders received a priority window to claim the equivalent direct .au name before general availability.

Key dates

• 24 March 2022: .au direct opens. Anyone meeting Australian presence requirements may register. The six-month Priority Allocation period also begins.
• 20 September 2022: Priority Allocation closes. Names that received only one valid Priority Application are allocated to that applicant. Names with multiple valid applications enter a contested-name auction or negotiation process per auDA rules.
• 21 September 2022 onward: Full general availability for any unclaimed .au direct name.

Eligibility for .au direct

Registrants must meet the auDA Australian Presence Requirements:

• Australian citizen or permanent resident, or
• Australian-registered company, business, or organization with a valid ABN, ACN, or other registrant identifier, or
• Foreign entity with a registered Australian trade mark, where the .au direct name exactly matches the trade mark text.

OpenSRS collects the registrant identifier (ABN, ACN, trademark number, or document reference) during registration and forwards it to auDA for validation.

Note: .au direct does not allow registrations from foreign individuals or non-Australian organizations without one of the qualifying credentials above. Resellers should communicate eligibility to international customers before quoting.

Priority Allocation rules (historical)

During the six-month Priority Allocation window:

• Priority Category 1. Holders of third-level .au names registered on or before 4 February 2018 had first claim on the equivalent .au direct name.
• Priority Category 2. Holders of third-level .au names registered after 4 February 2018 had a secondary claim.
• Contested names. Where multiple Priority Category 1 applicants existed for the same name, auDA referred the parties to private negotiation. Where multiple Category 2 applicants existed without any Category 1 applicant, an allocation auction determined the winner.

This window has closed. Resellers should treat Priority Allocation as a historical concept and quote only general-availability registrations going forward.

How to register a .au direct domain

Use the standard registration workflows:

• Control Panel. See Register a Domain Name in the Control Panel. Enter the second-level .au name in the availability search, complete the .au-specific eligibility fields (registrant type and ABN/ACN/trademark identifier), and submit.
• RWI or API. See Registering Domain Names Through the RWI. Provide the same eligibility fields. The OpenSRS API includes .au-specific extension fields for registrant type and identifier.

Renewal and transfer policy

.au direct names follow standard auDA renewal terms (currently 1–5 year terms; verify current limits against the OpenSRS pricing schedule). Transfers between registrars use the standard auDA transfer-authorization flow. Holders must continue to meet Australian Presence Requirements at every renewal — if eligibility lapses, the registry may suspend the domain.

Next steps

• Confirm current .au policy. Review the live auDA policy and the OpenSRS .AU policy page before quoting customer-facing terms. See .AU Domain Policies.
• Quote .com.au alongside .au. Many Australian businesses register both to protect brand presence at the third and second levels.
• Pre-validate eligibility. Capture ABN, ACN, or trademark data from customers before placing the order to avoid registry rejection.
• Cross-link to registration workflow. Direct customers to Register a Domain Name in the Control Panel for the day-to-day registration path.

Questions? Contact OpenSRS Support.