05 September 2022

What is occurring?

A new web domain category (.AU) has been introduced in Australia from March this year. Essentially this is a shortened version of existing domains like .com.au, .net.au etc

All Australian businesses are able to reserve their .AU equivalent domain name prior to it becoming available to the general public to register.

Current Deadline Implications

Priority access to this domain for Australian owners will end on 20 September 2022.

Potential consequences of not registering your existing business name by this deadline could be that others may “pinch” your domain and could cybersquat(**1) or even attempt to use the domain for cyber-crime as they could mimic your true domain.

There has been calls by major business groups to have the deadline extended but at time of writing it has not altered.

As at end of August approximately 3 million .AU addresses have been registered.

Recommendation

This change, isn't as widely known as it maybe should be, so the recommendation is to ask yourself some key questions:

• Would I be upset if someone obtained the shortened version of your current domain name?

• Would this place my business at a disadvantage?

• Will I be annoyed to have missed the opportunity to secure the domain?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then it would be advisable to spend a little time and research to potentially protect your interests.

What now?

If you would like more information about this new domain category you can get in touch with one of our experts here.

Helpful resources:

Here is an article put out by Australian Cyber Security Centre. It has an Alert Status of Low, but it is important for businesses to assess their individual potential for exposure.

Australian Cyber Security Centre

• The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) leads the Australian Government’s efforts to improve cyber security.

• Provides a method to report Cybercrime

• Provides advice and information about how to protect yourself and your business online.

Au Domain Administration Limited (auDA)

A not-for-profit organisation established by the Australian Internet community. auDA develops and administers the rules for domain names in the .au country code Top Level Domain.

**1Cybersquatting (also known as domain squatting) is the practice of registering, trafficking in, or using an Internet domain name, with bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else.