Accepted in principle by auDA's Board · implementation being planned now
Are you at risk of losing your domain name?
The rules for owning a .com.au or .net.au domain are changing. Here's what it means in plain English, and how to check if your domain is affected.
Today
ACME Pty Ltd can hold domainname.com.au if it sells a product or service called "Domain Name", even without a business name to match.
Once the new rules apply
ACME Pty Ltd will need a registered business name or trade mark like "Domain Name" to keep domainname.com.au. Selling a product or service with that name won't be enough.
It doesn't need to be an exact match. Some of the words is enough. "ACME Plumbing Pty Ltd" can still hold acme.com.au.
It isn't in force yet. auDA's Board has accepted Recommendation 2 of its .au Licensing Rules Review and is now planning how and when it applies. Draft rules will go out for public comment first.
Check your .com.au domain eligibility
Free checker. See who your domain is registered to, and whether it's likely to stay eligible.
Example result
Registered to
HARBOUR BAKERY PTY LTD
ABN / ACN
ACN 000 000 000
Eligibility type
Company
Need help with your domain name?
Contact Digital Roseharbourbakery.com.au
Looks OK: the name matches your domain
Your domain uses the same words as the name it's registered against.
Results come from auDA's official RDAP service. We don't store your searches. Prefer to look it up yourself? Use auDA WHOIS ↗
How to check
Three steps, about two minutes
Look up your domain
Use the checker at the top of this page, or auDA's free WHOIS tool.
Go to the checker ↑See who it's registered to
Near the bottom you'll see a business name and an ABN or ACN. That's who auDA treats as the owner.
Look for the lines labelled Registrant and Eligibility Name.
Does your domain match that name?
Your domain should use some or all of the words in your company name, business name or trade mark.
Likely fine
Registered to Harbour Bakery Pty Ltd and the domain is harbourbakery.com.au or harbour.com.au.
Could be at risk
Registered to Harbour Bakery Pty Ltd but the domain is sourdoughclass.com.au, named after something it sells, not the business itself.
Our view
The ugly side of auDA's decision
Expect a gold rush on business names. Your competitors could be first in line for the name that matches your domain, a domain you may have used for years.
A rush to register names
Lots of businesses will try to register a matching business name at the same time. Whoever gets there first wins.
Competitors can get in first
A competitor could register the business name that matches your domain, then complain that you're no longer eligible and wait for your domain to be cancelled and released.
Small businesses are most exposed
Big brands usually own trade marks. Small businesses that picked a catchy domain years ago are the least likely to have a matching name.
Don't wait for the gold rush
Business names are first come, first served. Once the new rules are confirmed, everyone will be trying to register names at once, including your competitors.
If your domain doesn't match your company name, business name or trade mark, register a matching business name now and protect your brand before someone else takes it.
This is our opinion of what could happen, not a prediction or legal advice. auDA has said transition arrangements will be considered.
What to do
Three simple actions
Check your domain
Find out who it's registered to. If the details are old or wrong, ask your domain provider to update them.
Open auDA WHOIS ↗Register a matching name
If your domain doesn't match a name you own, consider registering a matching business name with ASIC.
Go to ASIC ↗Have your say
auDA will ask for public comment on the draft rules. Tell them how the change would affect your business.
auDA's review page ↗Own more than one domain? auDA can tell you every domain registered under your ABN or ACN. Request a registry search ↗
Need advice?
Not sure where your domain stands or what to do next? Talk to the team at Digital Rose.
Timeline
Where things are up to
auDA hasn't set a date yet. It says it will publish key dates and transition arrangements in the coming months.
-
2025–26: Independent reviewAn expert panel reviews the .au rules, consults the public and recommends the change.
-
August 2026: Accepted by auDA's BoardThe Board accepts the recommendations in principle and asks for an implementation plan.
-
Now: Planning the rolloutauDA is working out who's affected, the timing and any transition period.
-
Next: Public commentDraft rules are published for feedback. auDA has said it's aiming to start by late October 2026.
-
Then: New rules take effectThe Board approves the final rules, with guidance and time for businesses to adjust.
Read auDA's update in full
The status of the review, what's proposed and how to have your say.
FAQ
.com.au eligibility questions
Is my .com.au domain still eligible?
Right now, yes, if it was eligible when you registered it. Once the new rules apply, your .com.au or .net.au domain will need to match your company name, registered business name or trade mark. Use the free checker at the top of this page to see who your domain is registered to and whether the name lines up.
What is changing for .com.au domain names?
auDA's Board has accepted, in principle, Recommendation 2 of its .au Licensing Rules Review. It removes the option of holding a .com.au or .net.au domain because it matches the name of a product, service, event, activity or premises. Once the new rules apply, the domain will need to match the registrant's company name, registered business name or trade mark.
Is the new .com.au rule in force yet?
No. auDA is planning how and when the change applies. Draft rules will be published for public comment before auDA's Board approves the final rules, and timeframes and transition arrangements have not been set.
Does my domain need to exactly match my business name?
No. Some of the words is enough. For example, ACME Plumbing Pty Ltd can hold acme.com.au. A registered trade mark also counts.
Which .au domains are affected?
Only .com.au and .net.au domains. .au direct, .org.au, .asn.au and .id.au are not affected by this change.
How do I check who my domain is registered to?
Enter your domain in the free checker on this page. It looks up auDA's official RDAP service and shows the business name and ABN or ACN your domain is registered to, and whether the name matches. You can also use auDA's WHOIS tool at whois.auda.org.au.