Domain Names Buying Guide

• Registering .au Domain Names, where do I start?
• I found the domain name, what's next?
• What other AU extensions can I apply for?
• What qualifies as a Domain Name?
• Registering a Business Name
• Registering a Domain Name
• A step-by-step guide to .au domain registration
• Delegating your domain name
• I want to register a .com domain

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Your domain name is a unique name that identifies an individual or an organisation's Internet site. Users access this website by typing it into an Internet search engine.

Behind domain names is string of numbers which are known as an IP addresses (eg 64.233.167.99). Because remembering a long numerical address is considerably harder than names, the Domain Name System was developed to facilitate the easy recognition and recall of Internet site addresses.

Domain Names always have two or more parts which are separated by dots. The first is the name (eg google.com) and this is followed by a top-level domain such as .com or .net. In some instances there is a subsequent domain known as a Second-level domain such as .com.au or .net.au.

Registering .au Domain Names, where do I start?

The easiest way to check for the availability of any given domain name is to conduct a search online. You can find an up-to-date list of certified registrars located at http://www.auda.org.au/registrars/accredited-registrars/, the online list hosted by auDA.

auDA is the policy authority and industry self-regulatory body for the Australian domain industry. You can find more information about it at http://www.auda.com.au/about/about/.

Once you have a found a registrar (a specialist company with whom you will register your domain name), your search request for a domain name will literary take seconds to check against the WHOis database. The majority of registrars and resellers have a search function which allows you to search for multiple extensions in one hit. This is a great feature if you need to register both .com and .au extensions (for example, Orange.com, and Orange.com.au).

I found the domain name, what's next?

If you are planning on registering a domain name with .au extension you need to be aware of the current regulations in place before you can proceed. The guidelines are available online at http://www.auda.org.au/pdf/auda-2005-01.pdf

Currently, all Australian businesses are eligible for a .com.au and/or .net.au domain name. This is the case regardless of whether you are a company, business, registered body, owner/ applicant of a registered trade mark or if you simply own a registered business name. You will require your Registered Business Number (RBN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or Australian Business Number (ABN) to continue with the registration.

If you don't meet the above criteria and still wish to register a .com.au or .net.au, the easiest way to get started will be to register a business name. You will need to apply to your local Fair Trading Office for a business name in your state of residence. [See section on 'Registering a Business Name'].

You also need to be aware that domain name licenses are allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis, so if you think the name you want is going to be snapped up you need to act quickly.

Originally it was only possible to have one Domain Name registered against a Business, company and/or individual, but today it's possible to obtain multiple names as long as you comply with auDA guidelines.

What other AU extensions can I apply for?

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the global co-ordinator/regulator of domain names, implemented the segregation of national Top Level Domains (nTLDs) in each country. These extensions enable further classifciation of businesses, which may fall under a more suitable extension (see the list below).

Australian (.au) Second Level Domains (2LDs)

asn.au - For incorporated associations, political parties, trade unions, sporting and special interest clubs.

com.au - For commercial entities, such as companies (with ACN as registered through ASIC), and businesses (registered with state governments).

net.au - For commercial entities, such as companies (with ACN as registered through ASIC), and businesses (registered with state governments).

id.au - For individuals who are Australian citizens or residents.

org.au - For charities and non-profit organisations.

edu.au - For educational institutions registered at a federal or state level. This domain is managed on behalf of the Australian education sector by the Australian Information and Communications Technology in Education Committee (AICTEC).

gov.au - For federal, state and local government bodies. This domain is managed on behalf of the Australian government sector by the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO).

csiro.au - For the sole use of the Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO). This domain is managed by CSIRO.

info.au - Presently not accepting new registrations.

conf.au - Presently not accepting new registrations.

What qualifies as a Domain Name?

Domain Names must be at least two characters long, less than 63 characters for each component of the domain name and less than 255 characters in total. The domain name is to be composed entirely of letters, numbers, and hyphens. However, the first, third, fourth and last characters cannot be hyphens. Most registries will advise you to choose a domain name with 12 characters or less. If the name you select is successful you will be given the option to continue the registration.

The domain name license period for .au extensions is fixed at 2 years. Renewal of a domain name license at the end of the 2nd year depends on the registrant continuing to meet the eligibility and allocation rules for the relevant 2LD.
 

Registering a Business Name

As already mentioned, before you register a .au domain name you first need to register a business name if you do not already have one.

Originally you needed to closely align your Business name to your domain name. For example if you were registering turnipplace.com.au your business name would be "TURNIP PLACE". With the relaxed auDA guidelines you can now register multiple domain names against your Business or Company name.

Do your homework before applying for a business name, log onto the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) National Name Database:

http://www.search.asic.gov.au/gns001.html. This will give you an idea of whether the name you are after is available or a similar name already exists. The Fair Trading Office (FTO) in your state reserves the right not to issue a Business Name if the name is considered too similar to a pre-existing name, misleading, offensive or undesirable.

Domain names are unique names that are issued to any entity that meets the requirements. Trademarks are not unique, as they can fall into 42 different entities (categories). Thus trademarks registered in Australia do not necessarily have the right to prevent another entity from using a domain name. For more information on trademarks take the time to search IP Australia at http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/search/search.html

It is a great idea to ring your nearest FTO as they may be able to run a name check before you send in your completed application form.

All Australian states and territories now have the application forms online and all the help you need to get started.

If you do not have the time to lodge the application yourself expect an agent to charge about $300 for this service.

Once you have the certificate in your hands you can log back onto an online registry of your choice and register your domain name.

Registering your Domain Name:

To register your domain name online you will need to have your Registered Business Number (RBN), an active email account, and adhere to the given policies of each sub domain. Most registrars only allow payment by credit card. If you wish to pay by Cheque or money order you should check that this is an option before proceeding.

A step-by-step guide to .au domain registration

• Choose your preferred Domain Name Register or authorised reseller who has the authority to approve and process domain name requests, delegation and payments.
• Follow the online application and payment requests. On completion you will be sent a confirmation electronically. Take the time to read and print out the terms and conditions before proceeding with the Domain request.
• This domain name will be listed as 'pending' in the WHOIS database until approved. If an application is declined (or a domain name removed), the pending entry is removed from the auDA registry and the domain name is immediately available.
• If the registry rejects the name you will be notified electronically as to why the application was unsuccessful. If the domain name is approved you will be issued with a receipt.
• When payment is verified you will be able to make your domain name active on the Internet, by delegating the domain name to the DNS (Domain Name Service).

Delegating your domain name

When you are ready for your website to go live you will need to delegate your domain name so that it becomes visible to the Domain Name Service (DNS). A registered Domain name is put on reserve but is not automatically visible on the Internet

The DNS servers must be modified to account for the domain being delegated before you update the domains' record to point to those DNS servers. Typically your ISP or web-hosting organisation will advise you of the names of the relevant DNS servers and their IPs, or undertake this step for you.

If your organisation's server is in-house and you are not going through a Web Hosting company, you will need to know the following before you begin to delegate:

• email address of person delegating
• complete domain name (registered and paid for)
• primary server hostname
• primary server IP address
• secondary server hostname
• secondary server IP address

An organisation or an agent (Web Hosting service) will need to setup two or more name servers. Those servers should have a similar configuration, so that they return the same information when queried. It is common to make one server a 'master', from which the other servers obtain their information. If you have multiple name servers, users will still be able to access your website or send you email if one of the name servers goes offline.

Once you have done this, you will need to delegate your domain from the parent domain. If some of the information is incorrect, there are errors in the server configurations, or some of the name servers are down, it is possible for the delegation request to fail.

I want to register a .com domain

If you want to own a .com domain this couldn't be easier, the only hitch is the lack of available names. You DON'T need to operate a Business, have an active IP address, or be residing in the United States.

You can purchase a .com or top-level domains from around the world either through an accredited Australian registrar online or visit any of the addresses listed on the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) accredited registrars: http://www.icann.org/registrars/accredited-list.html

Charges will vary depending on the online registry you go through, but you can expect to pay from as little as $US7.99 a year to register a .com extension.

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