The governing body of .au domain names, the .au Domain Administration (auDA), recently announced that .au direct names will launch in Australia on 24 March 2022.
From the launch date, users will be able to register a domain name directly followed by .au, such as yourbusiness.au, provided the user has an ‘Australian presence’ (such as being an Australian registered company, resident, citizen, trade mark owner, majority Australian partnership etc). This Australian presence must continue throughout the licence period. In order for foreign companies or individuals to demonstrate a sufficient Australian presence, the relevant user will likely need to be in a position to rely on a corresponding trade mark application or registration.
When second level names launch, priority of rights will be recognised for prior identical domain names registered at the third level in the <.au> space (eg <.com.au> < .net.cu>.<.org.au>). The owner of an existing dot.au name at the third level will have 6 months to register the same name in the second level <.au> space but will need to make an application for priority status (including payment of an application fee) to secure this priority. In the case of competing applications for the same domain name, applicants for priority will need to provide proof of the qualifying prior domain name and demonstrate ongoing eligibility to hold that name. Applicants with existing third level domain names registered up to and including 4 February 2018 will take priority over applicants with third level domain names registered between 5 February 2018 and 30 September 2019. Registration will otherwise be on a “first come, first served” basis.
If you are an Australian business, it is strongly recommended that you review the new Licensing Rules, watch out for the launch of registrations in the <.au> space and immediately apply for recognition of your priority right to register or block a third party registering your desired domain name.