Frequently asked questions

General .AU Domain Policies and Registration

Q1: What is the .AU geoTLD, and who administers it?
A1: The .AU geoTLD is Australia’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD), managed by the Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA). It includes second-level domains like example.au (introduced on March 24, 2022), as well as third-level domains like example.com.au, example.net.au, and example.org.au.

Q2: Who is eligible to register a .AU domain?
A2: Any individual or organization with an Australian presence can register a .AU domain, including:

• Australian citizens or permanent residents
• Businesses and organizations registered in Australia (companies, associations, partnerships, charities, government entities, etc.)
• Foreign entities holding an Australian trademark that matches their domain name

All registrations must comply with auDA’s licensing rules and domain allocation policies.

Q3: What are the residency requirements for .AU domains?
A3: All .AU domains require an Australian presence. This may include a valid ABN/ACN or an Australian trademark. Exceptions exist for certain types (e.g., .id.au requires citizenship or residency).

Q4: Are there specific requirements for registering third-level .AU domains?
A4: Yes, certain TLDs have additional restrictions:

• .COM.AU and .NET.AU: Must be an exact match, abbreviation, or acronym of the registrant's name, or otherwise closely related.
• .ORG.AU and .ASN.AU: Restricted to not-for-profit and similar entities.
• .ID.AU: Reserved for Australian citizens or permanent residents.

AUDA / OpenSRS Domain Eligibility & Allowed Domains

Refer to the eligibility matrix (see table in support documentation) for detailed mappings between entity types, allowed domain extensions, and ABR classifications.

Highlights:

Q5: Can Australian citizens and residents register a .AU domain?
A5: Yes. Citizens and permanent residents can register .au and .id.au domains. They are not eligible for .com.au or .net.au, which are reserved for registered businesses.

Q6: What domains can charities register?
A6: Charities can register .au, .org.au, and .asn.au domains if classified under the ABR as a charity, charitable trust, or a not-for-profit entity.

Q7: What domains can businesses register?
A7:

• Companies can register .au, .com.au, and .net.au if listed as an Australian Private Company.
• Sole Traders and Partnerships can register .au, .com.au, and .net.au, based on valid ABN classification.
• Trusts and Cooperatives may register .au, .com.au, and .net.au if their ABN type aligns with those entity types.

Upcoming Changes to .AU Domains

Q8: What changes did auDA implement on April 12, 2021?
A8: auDA introduced stronger validation, licensing, and security rules:

• Domain names used with Australian trademarks must match the wording of the trademark.
• .ORG.AU eligibility is now limited to verified not-for-profit organizations.

Q9: How do these changes affect existing domain holders?
A9: Domains that do not meet updated eligibility requirements cannot be renewed in OpenSRS. Registrants must ensure their data complies with the new rules.

OpenSRS API and Domain Integration

Ownership changes (Trades) are now fully automated and can be submitted via the OpenSRS API or Reseller Control Panel (RCP). However, if the current registrant's ABN is cancelled, supporting documentation is still required and must be reviewed by the Tucows Compliance Team before the Trade can proceed.

Q10: How can I integrate the OpenSRS API to manage domains?
A10: To integrate:

• Review the OpenSRS API Protocol
• Submit API requests using HTTPS POST
• Use commands for domain registration, renewal, and ownership updates
• See the OpenSRS API Quick-Start Guide

Q11: Where can I find detailed API documentation?
A11: Full documentation is available at domains.opensrs.guide, covering domain lifecycle, SSL services, and automation support.

Additional Information

Q12: Where can I find more information on OpenSRS domain policies?
A12: Visit the OpenSRS Support Portal for:

• Domain policy details
• Renewal and registration instructions
• Troubleshooting and FAQ resources

Note: Refer to the official AUDA documentation or OpenSRS support team for specific use cases, edge scenarios, or eligibility clarifications.

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