2025 Terms of Endorsement for auDA
auDA welcomes the 2025 Terms of Endorsement for auDA released by Minister Rowland following four weeks of public consultation from 22 January 2025 to 19 February 2025 with the multi-stakeholder internet community.
The minor amendments to the Terms of Endorsement reflect our primary responsibilities and community expectations, and will support the continuation of auDA’s secure administration of .au.
auDA CEO Bruce Tonkin, said, “We appreciate the Government’s consultative approach and shared commitment to online security, strong administration and a multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance that is inclusive, consensus-based, transparent and accountable.
“auDA's multi-stakeholder approach balances the needs and views of the community, civil society, industry, the technical community, academia and governments.
“The revised Terms of Endorsement reflect the importance of the .au as Australian critical infrastructure and as a key contributor to Australia’s digital economy and society.”
The 2025 Terms of Endorsement set out core functions to guide auDA in the administration of .au:
- Ensure stable, secure and reliable operation of the .au domain, as part of Australia’s suite of critical infrastructure
- Administer a licensing regime for .au domain names based in multi-stakeholder processes that is transparent, responsive, accountable, accessible and efficient
- Advocate for, and actively participate in, multi-stakeholder internet governance processes domestically, regionally and internationally.
These functions are supported by underlying core principles, which include:
- Engaging with the Australian Government
- Supporting trust and confidence in .au
- Promoting principles of competition, fair trading and consumer protection
- Supporting fair and transparent multi-stakeholder engagement
- Supporting a membership structure that reflects the diversity of the Australian community
- Maintaining effective governance processes that are transparent, accountable, support effective decision-making and promote the interests of the Australian community.
More information on auDA’s Terms of Endorsement is available on the auDA website.
ENDS