auDA is pleased today to launch its new .au Licensing Framework, which introduces new rules for the com.au, net.au, org.au, asn.au, edu.au, and state and territory namespaces.
The Framework streamlines more than 30 previous policies and contains updates designed to promote greater trust and confidence in the .au domain.
While changes to the rules impact only a small number of current registrations, auDA has undertaken extensive consultation, industry training and discussion, including:
- Public consultation including multiple opportunities for written submissions or input at face-to-face and online workshops throughout 2018 and 2019
- More than 20 registrar training sessions delivered by auDA’s dedicated training specialist
- More than 250 responses from auDA to registrant enquiries over the last three months, seeking clarification on compliance under the new rules
- More than 920 audits of .au registrations conducted by auDA over the last three months to proactively review and guide compliance under the new rules.
Chief Executive Officer, Rosemary Sinclair AM thanked Australia’s domain industry, auDA members, Internet users, and .au registrars for their contributions to the new rules.
“The .au registry has grown to more than 3.3 million domain names under management. The new Licensing Framework enables .au to continue as the trusted domain for local businesses, sole traders, individuals, associations, governments, educational institutions, not-for-profits and charities,” Ms Sinclair said.
Changes under the new Licensing Framework include updates to:
- Eligibility and allocation rules for some namespaces (com.au, net.au, org.au, asn.au and state and territory namespaces)
- Terms and conditions for .au domain names
- The complaints and cancellations processes
- The rules for sub-domains, third-party use and monetisation of .au domains names.
All names created, transferred, or renewing from today will be subject to the new rules.
The previous rules will apply until the end of the current licence period for current .au domain name licences that have not yet expired or been transferred.
For more information on your domain name licence under the new rules contact your registrar or visit the auDA website and the .au blog to read more.
ENDS
Note to media:
Rules relating to the id.au namespace, second level names (such as forexample.au) and internationalised domain names (such as 例如.au) have not come into effect and will implemented in future phases.