A new system was introduced to allow shortened domain names. The shorter simpler domain names will end in .au rather than .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .gov.au or .edu.au.

Business owners are being warned they could face an increased risk to their business in cybercrime amid changes to the Australian internet domains changing to .au.

The rules were introduced in March this year to allow anyone with a connection to Australia to register the shorter .au domain for their website, rather than the existing .com.au or .net.au.

However, those with existing Australian domains have until 20th September 2022 under a Priority Allocation Process to reserve their equivalent website with the shorter domain before it would become available to the general public.

Please read the attached link for more information https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/alerts/new-domain-name-changes-could-leave-your-business-or-organisation-risk for an example – “if you have currently registered “yourbusiness.com.au”, a cybercriminal could register “yourbusiness.au” or “yourbusinesscom.au” and use these domains to conduct fraudulent cyber activities.”

You will be able to apply for Priority Status via your registrar, or any other accredited registrar https://www.auda.org.au/accredited-registrars offering .au direct domain names, during the Priority Application Period.

There will be a fee for lodging an application and, like the prices of domain name registrations, this fee will vary between registrars.