Domain Name Registration

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is a usable method of navigating the internet. Originally the internet was comprised only of IP addresses, such as 202.124.241.200. Domain names were introduced to make the internet easier - it's a lot easier to remember a name like mywebname.com.au than it is to remember the 12 digits behind the name.

Domain names are comprised of 2 or more parts, separated by dots. For example, the domain icann.org has 2 parts - "icann" and "org". "org" is the top level domain, or the end of the name, and "icann" is the second level domain. The domain name "netregistry.com.au" has 3 parts - "netregistry", "com" and "au". The "au" is the top level domain, which is short for Australia. The "com" is the second level, which means that the domain name is a commercial business operating in Australia, and "netregistry" is the name that NetRegistry chose for our website. This is also the third level in the domain "netregistry.com.au".

For worldwide domains, such as .com, .net, .org, .info & .biz, you can register domains at the second level - such as "icann.org". For Australian domains, you can register domains at the third level only - like "netregistry.com.au", or "mybusiness.net.au".

To register your own domain name today, simply click here.

History of Domain Names

Domain names were created because they are easier to remember than numerical IP addresses. Every domain name is unique and is mapped to an IP address through the Domain Name System (or DNS for short).

There are 13 computers throughout the world called Root Servers, which hold the information about the whereabouts for all of the top level domain names (.com, .info, .org, .au, .jp, .uk, etc). The top level domain names include universal names such as .com & .info, as well as country-based names such as .au and .uk.

Every top level domain has its own database where information concerning the location of 2nd level domains are held. For example, the .com database would contain the information about the whereabouts of the netregistry.com domain name, while the .au database would contain information about the whereabouts of the .com.au domain.

Some countries, such as Australia, sell domain names in the third level only - ie - domain.com.au. The information for domain.com.au would be stored in the .com.au database (or registry).

To register your domain name today, simply click here.

Registering a Domain Name

Register a domain name

Domain Name Pricing and Registration Periods

There are different bodies that control the regulations for different types of domain name. For example, auDA (Australian Domains) will only allow 2 year registration periods, whereas ICANN (com/net/org/info/biz) allows up to 10 years of registration for a domain.

To view our entire listing, pricing and registration periods, click here.

Rules for Registration

Most domain names, with the exception of .au domains and .eu, can be registered by anyone. However .au and .eu domains have specific licensing requirements.

.com.au & .net.au

To purchase a .com.au or .net.au you must be an Australian registered company or business with a registered business number (ABN, BRN, BN) trademark owner and/or foreign company licensed to trade in Australia, and a note to contact the domain admin team if you aren't sure if you meet criteria, so we can help assess.

The licence requirements for a .com.au and .net.au domain name require your business to be registered for business trading in Australia, this means registering your business or company name with one of the official Government Authorities, eg ASIC, State Dept. of Fair Trading, or alternatively by obtaining an Australian Business Number (ABN) from the ATO.

The domain name you order should be an exact match, acronym or abbreviation of the supplied business registration, or it should bear a close and substantial connection to the domain name:
For example, the Ford Motor Company would be reasonably entitled to own:

• www.fordmotorcompany.com.au
• www.ford.com.au
• www.mustang.com.au
• www.fordfocus.com.au

Domains can be 2 to 63 letters
Words can be separated by hyphens, but not spaces.

.org.au & .asn.au

To qualify for these domains your organisation must be a "non-commercial organisation". The domain name you register should have a solid relationship to the organisation to which it represents.

For example, the Salvation Army are reasonably entitled to own:

• www.salvationarmy.org.au
• www.salvos.org.au

.id.au

This domain name is intended for individuals, who reside in Australia. You may register ANY personal name by which you are known.

For example, our CEO could purchase:

• www.larrybloch.id.au

.eu

You must have a European Registrant Contact address to be eligible for a .eu domain registration.

How long does it take to register a domain name?

Once you apply for a domain name through NetRegistry, our Domain Administration Team will be on hand to process your application straight away. You will generally not need to wait any longer than 60 minutes during Business Hours for your registration to be processed. Outside of business hours may take a little longer. If you have not heard from us, with regards to your domain name application, within 24 hours - please email domains@netregistry.com.au or give our Domain Administration Team a call on
1800 788 082 and we will be happy to update you on the progress of your application.

The Registration Process

When you apply for a domain name through the NetRegistry website, our Domain
Administration Team will ensure your application meets the eligibility criteria set out by auDA (the regulatory body for .au domains). Once your application is deemed valid, your domain registration will be completed and we will set up an account. This account is managed through TheConsole, NetRegistry's online services management system. Clients will receive the following via email: a receipt for payment, a certificate of registration, passwords for the domain name and TheConsole. You are now ready to set up Hosting Services.