Direct registrations under .au expected soon

Currently domain names under the Australian TLD .au can only be registered on the so called 3’d level. Such a domain name then ends in for example .com.au, .net.au or .id.au. The Australian registry has now officially declared that they will allow direct .au registration in the foreseeable future. Recently also the UK dropped “.co” from “.co.uk” and other countries like New Zeeland and Botswana, who just like Australia happen to have a history linked to the UK, did the same thing.

Prior to this decision to launch direct .au registration, the .au-registry had held a survey with .com.au registrants to inquire if they were for or against direct .au domain names. Over 60% of respondents who already owned a .com.au domain name responded that they were likely to register a domain name directly under .au if it would become available.

The registry hasn’t decided yet on how .au will be launched and who will be allowed to register .au domain names, but it is assumed that the rules for .au will at least be as restrictive as the current rules for .com.au registrations.