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To register and hold a .au domain name licence, the registrant must meet the eligibility and allocation requirements set out in the .au Licensing Rules. These requirements help keep the .au domain local, trusted and secure.
Can I lodge a complaint about a registrant's eligibility to hold a domain name licence?
Yes. You can lodge a complaint about a domain name licence if you think a registrant does not meet the eligibility and/or allocation requirements to hold a specific domain name licence under the .au Licensing Rules.
Can I lodge a complaint about a registrar?
Yes. You can lodge a complaint about the actions of a registrar related to a domain name registration if you think the registrar has not met their responsibilities under the .au Registrar Rules.
How can I lodge a complaint?
1. Initial Complaint
An initial complaint must always be lodged with the registrar of record. The registrar of record can be found via the WHOIS tool. The registrar has 30 calendar days to look into and resolve the complaint, unless the registrar advises you additional time is required.
The registrar will inform you of its decision in writing. If you are unhappy with the decision, you have the right to request a review of the decision under the registrar’s internal complaints procedures.
2. Review of a registrar decision by auDA
If you have exhausted the avenues set out at point 1 above, you can seek a review of the registrar's decision or conduct by submitting a request to auDA. auDA will respond to you in writing.
In some instances auDA may refer the issue back to the registrar for reconsideration.
If you remain dissatisfied with auDA's initial decision, you may request it be internally reviewed by auDA. The internal review will be conducted by a senior auDA staff member who was not involved in the original decision.
3. External Review
If you exhaust auDA’s internal complaint procedures and remain unhappy, you can apply for an external review of auDA’s decision by the Licence Review Panel (LRP).
The LRP members are independent from auDA. Applications for an external review must be lodged within 10 days of receiving the decision of an internal review of auDA's decision. There is a fee to lodge an application for an external review. The panel has 10 days to reach and advise you of the outcome.
Where can I find more information?
To stay up to date with the latest information about auDA and the .au domain, become a .au member
Category: Fact sheets
