Australian domains
How to register a .com.au domain
Need to register com au for your business website? This guide covers eligibility, how to check if your name is available, and where au domain registration actually happens (hint: not at the registry itself).
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Au domain registry vs registrar: what is the difference?
People search for "au domain registry" when they mean "where do I register?" Here is the distinction.
The registry (auDA and the .au policy framework) runs the .au namespace and sets the rules. You do not buy domains directly from the registry.
A registrar is an accredited company where you search, pay, and manage your domain: VentraIP, Crazy Domains, GoDaddy, Namecheap, and others. Domain name registration au happens at a registrar, not on a government registry website.
Think of it like car registration: auDA is the system; the registrar is the shop counter where you complete the paperwork and pay.
How it works
How to register a .com.au domain
Whether you search "register domain com au" or "buy domain com au", the steps are the same for most Australian small businesses.
- 01
1. Confirm you are eligible
Standard .com.au registration requires a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN), or another eligible Australian presence under auDA rules. Have your business details ready before checkout.
- 02
2. Check au domain availability
Use any accredited registrar search box to check au domain availability. Type the name you want and see if .com.au (and optionally .au direct) is free. If it is taken, try a variation or see our guide on choosing a domain name.
- 03
3. Choose a registrar
Pick an accredited .au registrar based on price, dashboard clarity, and support. Compare first-year promos against renewal rates. See our domain price guide for typical .com.au costs at popular registrars.
- 04
4. Complete com au registration
Add the domain to cart, enter your ABN/ACN and registrant details, and pay. You are registering for a fixed term (usually one year). The registrar submits the registration to the .au registry on your behalf.
- 05
5. Turn on auto-renewal
Au registrations expire yearly. Enable auto-renewal and keep your payment method current so you do not lose the name. After registration, point the domain at your hosting or read what to do after you buy a domain.
.com.au vs .au direct
You may see both yourbusiness.com.au and yourbusiness.au in search results. Both are Australian namespace options under auDA rules.
.com.au is the long-standing choice most customers recognise. .au direct (sometimes shown as .au) is shorter and is often bundled in promotions with .com.au.
For a typical local business, .com.au alone is enough. Registering both can protect your brand if budget allows. Eligibility rules apply to both.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Ready when you are
Registered your .com.au?
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