Is your name available?
What is a webname?
A webname, (also known as a Domain Name) is an address used to identify and locate computers and web pages on the Internet.
A webname is hierarchical and often conveys information about the type of entity using the webname.
This site, accurateit.com.au implies that AccurateIT is an Australian commercial entity - which it is.
Webnames at the same level of the hierarchy must be unique.
What is .au?
au represents the Top Level Domain for Australia.
Japan (.jp), Germany (.de) are other examples of Top Level Domains. Any site that ends with a .au is a site built specifically for Australians. A top level domain representing a country is called a country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD).
A list of ccTLD's can be found at: http://www.iana.org/cctld/cctld-whois.htm
2LD | Purpose |
asn.au | For non-commercial organisations. Includes associations incorporated in any Australian State or Territory, political parties, trade unions, sporting or special interest clubs, charities or non-profit organisations. |
com.au | For commercial purposes. Includes commercial entities, currently registered and trading in Australia, as well as commercial products and services. |
id.au | For Australian individuals (citizens, residents). |
net.au | For commercial purposes. Includes commercial entities, currently registered and trading in Australia, as well as commercial products and services. |
org.au | For non-commercial organisations. Includes associations incorporated in any Australian State or Territory, political parties, trade unions, sporting or special interest clubs, charities or non-profit organisations. |
How many names can I register?
The policy for registering webnames has changed. An Australian business may now register a derivative of their business name or create separate domains for their associated products. They may even wish to register the profession in which they practice. Also, an Australian individual can, for the first time, register an .id.au webname. As long as the webname is a part of the Registrant's name or a derivative, you may register as many as you like!
What are generic webnames? Can they be registered?
A generic webname is a webname that is registered using a non-specific term. Domains such as shopping.com.au, sport.com.au or even car.com.au are all examples of generic webnames. In the past, generic webnames were not available in the .au namespace. As of July 1st 2002, some generic webnames have become available, with more likely to follow. To find out more about generic webnames, please go to www.auda.org.au.
Can I buy existing .au webnames from their current owners?
You cannot buy or sell .au webnames. The policies that govern the .au namespace are determined by auDA, the .au Domain Administration. For more information on the current webname policies, please go to www.auda.org.au/policy/.
Who is auDA? What are they responsible for?
auDA, the .au Domain Administration, is the government-endorsed manager of the Australian webnamespace. auDA is an independent, not-for-profit body. For more information please go to www.auda.org.au.
