Related links

• Domain Administration Limited

The content on this page and other DCITA document archive pages is provided to assist research and may contain references to activities or policies that have no current application. See the full archive disclaimer.

Australian place names are now available for use as domain names following a review by .au Domain Administration Limited (auDA).

Domain Administration Limited is the industry and self regulatory body for the management of the domain names system in Australia. auDA is the not-for-profit entity endorsed by the Government to operate the .au domain.

Formerly, policies followed by auDA meant that Australian place names were reserved and therefore not available for use as domain names. This policy has been reviewed and Australian geographic names will be available for registration as domain names.

The release of geographic names will occur in two stages:

• A release for commercial use, which will give Australian businesses the chance to associate their online activities with the name of their city, town or suburb; and
• A release of community geographic domain, which will provide the opportunity for all communities throughout Australia to establish an online presence that reflects their geographic location.

Proceeds from the sale of commercial geographic names will be used to support the implementation of new community geographic names.

Overview of the release of geographic names as domain names

Phase 1: Commercial geographic domain names

From 1 June 2005, Australian registered businesses are being offered the opportunity to establish an online presence via the geographic name of their local community.

Who is eligible to apply?

Ballot applicants must:

• satisfy the normal eligibility criteria for .com.au and .net.au domains;
  (see www.auda.org.au/policies/auda-2005-01)
• be registered to trade in Australia (i.e. have an ACN, ARBN or ABN); and
• be able to demonstrate a ‘close and substantial connection’ with the geographic name.

How will names be assigned?

Names will be allocated via a ballot. There is no charge for entering the ballot.

When may ballots be lodged?

Ballot applications may be lodged any time from 1 June 2005 to 31 July 2005.

The successful ballot

The successful applicant will have a 30 day period to pay the release fee ($825 inc. GST) and register the domain name. If the applicant chooses not to proceed, the name will be returned to the ballot process for a second round.

If the ‘second round’ winner fails to register the domain, the name will be withdrawn from the ballot and released at a later date.

How long will the domain be registered?

The domain name licence period is fixed at two years. At the end of the two year period the domain name registration must be renewed in order to be retained.

Phase 2: Community geographic names

Later this year, Australian geographic names will be available for registration in eight new domains for states and territories, for example:

• .act.au www.gunghalin.act.au
• .nsw.au www.gundagai.nsw.au
• .nt.au www.katherine.nt.au
• .qld.au www.the-gap.qld.au
• .sa.au www.ceduna.sa.au
• .tas.au www.launceston.tas.au
• .vic.au www.ballarat.vic.au
• .wa.au www.albany.wa.au

Use of these place names is restricted to community websites that reflect community interests, such as sporting and community clubs, historical information, aboriginal, multicultural, local special interest groups, and cultural events.

Available place names are taken from the Gazetteer of Australia, collated by the Committee for Geographic Names in Australasia. Names may be checked at www.ga.gov.au/map/names

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility rules will be announced by auDA closer to the date of release of community geographic names.

It is intended that to be eligible to apply for a community domain name, the applicant must be a legally registered, not-for-profit entity representative of the local community.

The website using the domain name must be developed for the benefit of the entire local community and must remain accurate, relevant and up-to-date.

How will names be assigned?

auDA will announce the release of community geographic domain names later this year. Detailed information on this process is available on: www.auda.org.au/geographics

Applications for community geographic names will be checked to ensure the registrant is representative of the community.

When may applications be lodged?

Applications for community geographic domains can be made later in the year. auDA will announce the release of these names.

Further information

This information is intended as a broad overview of the arrangements relating to the release of geographic names as domain names.

Detailed information regarding the release and the process of application is available at www.auda.org.au

DCITA recommends that inquiries on the implementation of the release of geographic names as domain names  should be directed to auDA

Phone 1300 732 929, facsimile 03 9349 5711 or email info@auda.org.au

Media release: Australian place names to be available on the net

• Document ID: 26493 |
• Last modified: 5 February 2008, 7:16pm