The .au domain extension is the country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) for Australia. The .au Domain Administration (auDA) manages it and sets the rules for who can register and how the names are used. Two of the most popular extensions are .com.au and .org.au. Each has its own eligibility requirements and naming rules.
.com.au domains
The .com.au extension exists for businesses and organizations with an Australian presence. To register a .com.au domain, you must meet one of these conditions:
Be an Australian registered company.
Be a sole trader or partnership with a registered business name in an Australian state or territory.
Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN).
Be a foreign company licensed to trade in Australia.
Be the owner or applicant of an Australian Registered Trade Mark that matches the domain.
Be an association incorporated in Australia.
Be an Australian government body or statutory authority.
Naming rules for .com.au
Your .com.au domain name must:
An exact match, abbreviation, or acronym of the registrant’s name, business name, or trade mark; or
A synonym closely connected to the registrant’s goods, services, or brand.
.org.au domains
The .org.au extension serves community and non-profit organizations. To register a .org.au domain, you must be one of the following:
An incorporated association in an Australian state or territory.
A political party registered with the Australian Electoral Commission.
A trade union or organization registered under Australian law.
A sporting club or special interest group operating in Australia.
A charity or non-profit organization defined in its constitution or incorporation documents.
Naming rules for .org.au
Your .org.au domain name must:
An exact match, abbreviation, or acronym of the organization’s name; or
A name that is closely connected to the group’s activities or objectives.
Therefore, .org.au domains stay tied to genuine community and non-profit work.
Key takeaway
In summary, the difference is clear:
.com.au is for businesses, companies, and commercial entities with an Australian presence.
.org.au is for community, non-profit, and charitable organizations.
Finally, both extensions require proof of eligibility, and auDA enforces these rules strictly to keep the .au space trusted and reliable.
