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Who Can Register a .com.au? Eligibility Rules

By BudgetByte Editorial Team • Published on 04/10/2026

Why Eligibility Matters

Setting up a new business website? We can help you choose and register the right domain in your business's name. Ask us or see our services.

A .com.au address tells customers you're an Australian business, and for many local businesses it's the natural first choice. Unlike a .com, though, you can't register one simply because it's available. Australia's .au domains come with rules about who can hold them and which names they can hold. Getting .com.au domain eligibility wrong can lead to a rejected registration, or in some cases a domain being cancelled later.

This guide explains the rules in plain English, how they apply to sole traders, companies and other structures, and how direct .au domains differ. For the official wording, always check the current rules published by auDA, the .au Domain Administration.

This article is general information. Rules can change, so confirm details with auDA or your registrar.

Who Runs .au Domains?

auDA is the policy authority and industry self-regulatory body for the .au domain space. It sets the licensing rules. You don't register a domain with auDA directly. You register it through an accredited registrar, a domain provider authorised to sell .au names.

An important difference from many other domain types: in .au you hold a licence to use a domain name for a period, not ownership of it. You must keep meeting the rules for the whole licence period, and renew it before it expires.

The Two Tests for .com.au

To hold a .com.au (or .net.au) domain, the registrant generally needs to meet two requirements.

1. An Australian presence

The registrant must have a connection to Australia. Common ways to meet this include:

  • An Australian company registered with ASIC (with an ACN).
  • An entity with an Australian Business Number (ABN), such as a sole trader, partnership or trust.
  • An Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • A foreign company registered to carry on business in Australia.
  • The owner or applicant of an Australian registered trade mark.

For a business website, an ABN or ACN is the usual basis.

2. A connection between the name and the registrant

The domain name must be linked to the registrant. Under auDA's rules, the name must generally either:

  • Match the registrant's name or trade mark, or be an acronym or abbreviation of it. For example, "Smith Plumbing Pty Ltd" registering smithplumbing.com.au. Or
  • Be closely and substantially connected to the registrant, for example because it refers to a service the registrant provides, a product it sells, or an event or activity it organises. A plumbing business registering emergencyplumberbrisbane.com.au may be able to rely on this.

You'll be asked to declare which basis you rely on when you register.

Common Scenarios

Sole traders

A sole trader can register a .com.au using their ABN. The domain should match the registered business name or the person's own name, or be closely connected to the services they provide.

Companies

A company can register using its ACN or ABN. The domain can match the company name, a registered business name the company holds, a trade mark, or the company's services.

New businesses

If you haven't yet registered your business name or ABN, you may need to do that first. Having your ABN and business name sorted before registering the domain makes the process simpler.

Registering on behalf of a client

Web designers sometimes register domains for clients. The client's business should be the registrant, using the client's details, not the designer's. Otherwise, the client can run into problems later. Our guide on who owns your website explains why this matters.

What About Direct .au Domains?

Since 2022, businesses have also been able to register names directly under .au, such as yourbusiness.au. Direct .au domains require an Australian presence, but don't have the same name-connection rule as .com.au.

Many businesses with an existing .com.au also hold the matching .au to protect their name. If you do, decide which one is your main website address and redirect the other to it, so search engines and customers see one consistent address.

Licence Periods and Renewals

.au domain licences are issued for a period of years and must be renewed before they expire. Practical tips:

  • Turn on auto-renew with your registrar.
  • Keep the registrant contact email current, and use an address the business controls, not one belonging to a staff member who might leave.
  • Keep payment details up to date so renewals don't fail.
  • Record the renewal date in your business calendar.

An expired domain takes your website and possibly your email offline, and after a grace period the name can become available to others.

Keeping Your Details Accurate

You must keep the registrant information accurate. If your business changes structure, for example from sole trader to company, or you sell the business, the domain licence may need to be transferred to the new entity. auDA's rules set out how transfers between registrants work, and your registrar can help with the process.

auDA can review whether a registrant still meets the rules, and domains that don't comply can be suspended or cancelled. That's another reason to keep the ABN or ACN on the registration current.

How Your Domain Connects to Your Website and Email

Registering the domain is only the first step. The domain's DNS settings point it at your website hosting and your email provider. When you change web designer, host or email provider, these settings need to be updated carefully, or your site or email can stop working.

A few good habits:

  • Keep a record of where your DNS is managed, which may be your registrar or a separate DNS provider.
  • Before changing anything, take a screenshot or export of your current DNS records.
  • Make sure your website serves over HTTPS once it's live on the domain. Our guide to SSL certificates explains how that works.
  • Add domain renewal and DNS checks to your regular website maintenance checklist.

Choosing a Good .com.au Name

Eligibility is one part. A good domain is also:

  • Short and easy to spell when said aloud over the phone.
  • Free of hyphens and numbers, where possible.
  • Consistent with your business name and signage.
  • Not confusingly similar to another business's name or trade mark.

Some businesses also register a domain describing their main service and location. If you do, think about how you'll use it. Several near-identical websites competing with each other rarely helps, and redirecting the extra domain to your main site is usually the simplest approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register a .com.au without an ABN?

Usually you need an Australian presence. For businesses, that's typically an ABN or ACN. Australian citizens and permanent residents, and owners of Australian trade marks, may also qualify. Check auDA's rules for your situation.

Can I register a .com.au for a name that isn't my business name?

Yes, if the name is closely and substantially connected to you, for example because it describes a service you provide. You'll need to declare the basis when registering.

Do I own my .com.au domain?

In .au, you hold a licence to use the domain for the licence period, rather than owning it outright. As long as you meet the rules and renew on time, you keep the right to use it.

Should I also register the .au version of my domain?

Many businesses do, to protect their name and avoid confusion. Redirect it to your main website address.

Need Help With Your Domain?

If you're setting up a new site or untangling an existing domain registration, contact BudgetByte. We'll help make sure your business is the registrant and that your domain, hosting and email are set up correctly. Explore our services to learn more.

Related guide: How to Transfer a .com.au Domain Safely

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About BudgetByte Editorial Team

The BudgetByte Editorial Team specializes in local SEO and high-performance web development strategies tailored for Australian trades and agencies.

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