The Australian business domain landscape is changing, and if you own a .com.au or .net.au domain, there is a development worth keeping an eye on.
As part of its 2025–26 .au Licensing Rules Review, auDA (au Domain Administration) has approved ‘in principle’ a recommendation to remove the current “Close and Substantial Connection” eligibility pathway for .com.au and .net.au domains.
The current rules are that businesses qualify for a .com.au or .net.au domain through several types of connections to their business. This can include the name of a service, product, event, activity or premises, as well as other eligible connections.
Under the proposed changes, many businesses may need to demonstrate a closer connection between their existing domain name and their business. If these changes go ahead, this will likely require a new business registration that more closely matches their domain name.
For example, a 25-year-old family-run building company registered as Joe Blogs Family Pty Ltd with the website domain name builditnow.com.au would need to register a new business name to more closely match its domain name.
The proposed changes are not yet in force. Many domain registrars are pushing back in protest of these changes. auDA is preparing an implementation plan for further review and is expected to publish draft Licensing Rules and an explanatory guide for further consultation.
For Australian businesses, it is a good reminder that your domain is more than just a web address. It is part of your brand identity, and understanding the rules around your domain can help you make better long-term decisions.
So, with the Australian domain landscape evolving, should your business choose .com.au or .au?
.com.au vs .au: What’s the Difference?
The most obvious difference is the length.
yourbusiness.com.au
yourbusiness.au
Both tell customers that your business has an Australian connection, but .au provides a much shorter web address.
Direct .au registrations became available in 2022, giving Australian businesses another option alongside the long-established .com.au namespace.
That means today’s business owners have more choice when registering a domain, but the two extensions can serve slightly different branding purposes.
Why .com.au is Still a Popular Choice
There is a reason .com.au has remained a familiar part of the Australian internet for decades.
For many Australians, seeing a .com.au address immediately suggests an Australian business. Current eligibility requirements have also helped reinforce its position as a commercial Australian domain.
If your customers are primarily in Australia, a .com.au domain can provide a familiar and recognisable identity.
For an established business, changing from a long-standing .com.au domain may also create unnecessary disruption. Your existing domain name likely already appears on business cards, packaging, social media profiles, advertising and customer communications.
If your .com.au is working well for your business, there is no need to change simply because .au is available.
Why Some Businesses Are Choosing .au
The biggest attraction of .au is simple: it’s shorter.
A shorter domain can be easier to type, remember and display across websites, social media profiles, advertising and mobile devices.
For a new business, startup or brand looking for a clean, modern identity, yourbusiness.au may be appealing.
It can also be useful for businesses that want to secure a shorter version of an existing domain.
Rather than thinking of .au as a replacement for .com.au, businesses can consider how the two domains might work together.
Does .au Have an SEO Advantage?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation, which is the practice of improving your website content and structure so that it ranks better in search engines. But technically, no domain extension automatically improves your website’s Google rankings.
Your search visibility is influenced by factors such as useful content, relevance, website performance, technical SEO, links and the overall experience you provide visitors.
Choosing .au instead of .com.au won’t automatically boost your website in search results.
For most small businesses, choosing a domain that is memorable, relevant, and easy for customers to use is likely more important than trying to find an SEO shortcut. Our unique domain name search function lets you explore great website domain names and see which ones are available to register, saving you hours of time!
Should You Register Both?
If both your .com.au and .au are available, registering both can be worth considering.
You could use one as your main website and redirect the other to it. This can help protect your business name online while giving you greater flexibility in the future.
For example, if your business operates at:
greatplumbing.com.au
you may also want to secure:
greatplumbing.au
You don’t necessarily need to build two websites. One domain can redirect visitors to the other, driving moretraffic to your main site. Owning both can also reduce the risk of another business registering the alternative extension and confusing customers.
What Should Existing .com.au Owners Do?
If you already have a .com.au or .net.au domain, don’t panic and don’t rush to change it based solely on the proposed rules.
The changes are not currently in force, and the implementation process is still underway.
Instead, make sure you know:
- Which domains your business currently owns
- When those domains are due for renewal
- Who the domains are registered through
- What business or trade mark connection applies to each domain
- Whether you also want to secure the corresponding .au domain
Keeping your domain registrations organised is particularly important for small businesses. Your domain may be connected to your website, email addresses, invoices, advertising and customer accounts, so losing access to it can cause much more than a website inconvenience.
Choosing a Domain for Your Business
There isn’t a single domain extension that every Australian business needs.
.com.au offers familiarity and decades of recognition among Australian businesses and consumers.
.au offers a shorter, modern alternative that can work well for businesses wanting a concise digital identity.
And with the .au namespace continuing to evolve, it makes sense to think beyond simply finding an available name. Consider how your domain fits your brand, your customers and your plans for the future.
For Australian businesses, your domain is part of your digital identity. Choose it carefully, keep your registration details up to date and stay informed about changes to the rules governing the .au namespace.
At Help.com.au, we make getting your Australian business online straightforward, with domains, hosting and website tools designed to help small businesses get started without unnecessary complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still register a .com.au domain?
Yes. The proposed changes to .com.au and .net.au eligibility are not currently in force. Existing eligibility requirements continue to apply.
Do I need to change my existing .com.au domain?
Not based on the proposed changes alone. The final implementation details have not been introduced yet. Existing domain owners should monitor auDA announcements for updates.
Should I buy both .com.au and .au?
If both are available, owning both can help protect your business name and give you more flexibility. You can use one as your primary website and redirect the other to it.
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