On 12 April 2021 a new set of rules for the .au country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) comes into effect.
This new set of rules contains changes to who can register in State and Territory namespaces.
When the new rules will apply
The new rules (with a few exceptions) come into effect on 12 April 2021. All .au domain names created, transferred or renewed on or after this date will be subject to the new licensing rules.
Expanded eligibility criteria for State and Territory namespaces
Each Australian State or Territory has its own dedicated namespace:
- act.au
- nsw.au
- nt.au
- qld.au
- sa.au
- tas.au
- vic.au
- wa.au
Under the new licensing rules, the eligibility criteria have been expanded to allow State and Territory peak bodies to register in these namespaces. Under the previous rules only community groups could register in State and Territory namespaces.
Peak State or Territory bodies means a not-for-profit entity that represents:
a) not for profit societies, associations or clubs, established for community service (but not political or lobbying) purposes;
b) not for profit societies, associations or clubs established for the encouragement of art, literature or music;
c) not for profit societies, associations or clubs established for the encouragement of animal racing or a game or a sport or recreational activity.
For example, a peak Victorian body for sport and recreation is Football Federation Victoria. A peak New South Wales body for community service organisations is Carers NSW. A peak Western Australia body for the arts is Propel Youth Arts WA.
If you’re a Peak State or Territory body, names that can be applied for must be:
a) a match of the Person’s legal name, business name or statutory name; or
b) an acronym of the Person’s legal name, business name or statutory name; or
c) a match to the Person’s Australian Trade Mark
The rules for community groups wishing to register in a State or Territory namespace haven’t changed.
