.au vs .com.au: Which Domain Should You Get?

What is a .au direct domain?

A .au direct domain ends in just .au, such as getyour.au. auDA says it is "perfect for your new idea, side hustle or passion project".¹

Is .au Australia? Not quite. It is a domain ending, not the country, but auDA's rule is that a .au direct name can be registered by "anyone with a validated connection to Australia".¹

Who can register a .au direct name?

auDA says .au direct names can be registered by "anyone with a validated connection to Australia". It adds: "This includes citizens, permanent residents, Australian trade mark holders and organisations registered in Australia."¹

So a .au direct name still has an Australian connection rule. It is not open to everyone in the world.

How is .com.au different?

The com.au rules focus on business use. auDA says:

"To hold a com.au domain name you must be a commercial entity with a connection to Australia."¹ It also says: "The com.au name chosen must have a connection to your business."¹

In plain terms, a .com.au is built for businesses and needs a link between the name and the business. A .au direct name is a general-use option. Check auDA's own eligibility pages before you buy.

Should I register the .au if I already have the .com.au?

You do not have to. auDA's answer to "do I need both?" is: "No, you do not need to register both."¹

auDA also says:

"It can be a good idea to register the corresponding or matching domain name as a brand protection measure."¹

That makes it a choice, not a requirement. If you do register both, auDA says: "your domain name provider can help you set up a redirect so all your domain names point to your primary domain name."¹

Keep in mind that, in auDA's words, "you must meet the eligibility requirements for each .au domain name you register."¹

Is the .com.au going away?

No. auDA's fact sheet says: "No, there is no intention to phase out com.au in favour of .au direct."¹

The same page says you must meet "the eligibility requirements for each .au domain name you register".¹ So the two endings can sit side by side, each with its own rules.

.au direct priority rules: what were they?

When .au direct launched, existing owners got a head start. auDA's page on the process says: "The Priority Application Period for .au direct domain names is closed". It was open to "Registrants of .au domain names registered before 24 March 2022", and it "ran from 24 March 2022 to 20 September 2022 UTC".²

Names that "Did not receive a priority application during the Priority Allocation Period" "became available to be registered by eligible members of the general public on 3 October 2022 UTC".²

The application period is over, but not every name is settled. auDA says: "In a small number of cases, there are .au direct domain names that remain subject to priority hold." It adds: "These names remain unallocated as there are active ‘category 1’ priority applications from multiple eligible registrants."²

If you want the .au version of your name, check whether it is free and that you meet the rules.¹ A name on priority hold is not available to register yet.²

Which one should you get?

A simple way to decide, based on the rules above:

A business site: a .com.au fits, as long as you meet the com.au rules above.¹

A side project or new idea: auDA describes .au direct as suited to exactly that.¹

Already have a .com.au: you do not need to register both.¹

Whichever you choose, you will need to point it at your site. Our guides cover the domain step if you build a website on Wix, get started with Squarespace, make a website in Canva or set up a WordPress.com website. Our note on whether hosting location affects SEO covers the other half of the setup.