{"id":41768,"date":"2023-10-20T15:16:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/a-change-in-australias-web-rules-would-open-up-the-au-space-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:16:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:16:21","slug":"a-change-in-australias-web-rules-would-open-up-the-au-space-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/a-change-in-australias-web-rules-would-open-up-the-au-space-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"A change in Australia’s web rules would open up the .au space – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"
If<\/em> you want to register an Australian web address, your options may be about to change due to a review of domain name policy that is currently underway.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Australian domain name system (DNS) has been managed by .au Domain Administration (auDA) since 2001, and it now oversees more than three million names registered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Australian DNS is already distinctive for a number of reasons. The registrant must be Australian. Names are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis \u2013 there is no hierarchy of rights. Registration for the sole purpose of resale is also not permitted, unlike most other top level domains (TLDs).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The domain name system (DNS) is also considered a public good, with its stability and effectiveness fundamental to the proper functioning of the internet. In Australia, a relatively high level of regulation exists and is accepted, and there are no plans to change this.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, auDA is currently engaged in a consultative process to consider changes to the DNS system itself. Anyone can provide a submission or comments along the way.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 2015 Names Panel is today issuing its draft recommendations. The main recommendation is that, in principle, Australians should be able to register domain names directly under .au (such as myname.au, or abc.au, or westpac.au).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This has not been possible before. Currently, the .au country code is considered the top level domain (ccTLD) for Australia. As a part of the current scheme, all sites must also be registered under second level domain name (2LDs). Some 2LDs are \u201copen\u201d, thus available to members of the public, such as .com.au, .net.au and org.au. And some are \u201cclosed\u201d, meaning they\u2019re restricted to certain sectors, such as .edu.au and .gov.au.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The proposed change would leave the existing 2LDs in place, and add a new option of registering directly under .au for any Australian entity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Australia has strong rules on what name can be registered, and would continue these under the proposed new scheme. To register directly, you would need to be eligible to register a domain under the existing 2LD rules, and if necessary provide evidence of eligibility. The existing rules would also apply to the kind of name that could be registered \u2013 you can\u2019t have any name you want.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The main reason the panel has recommended this change is that direct registrations would create more options. They include names that are shorter, more appealing and more memorable. They would make the domain name system simpler and easier to use.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Moreover, the proposed change would open a wide range of new choices for registrants. For some they would be better options. For example, the panel thinks it would be simpler for people to obtain an acceptable Australian domain name.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nTime for change?<\/h2>\n
Why the need to change?<\/h2>\n