Licensing rules have changed for org.au domain names for not-for-profit groups, hobby groups, and sporting clubs.
If you have an org.au domain name the new rules commence when your organisation's current licence period expires (the rule changes commenced on 12 April 2021 at 10am AEST for all new registrations).
If your organisation has registered an org.au domain name on the basis of being a sporting or special interest club, and is structured as an unincorporated association, it may no longer be eligible to register or renew its names in org.au unless the organisation is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission (ACNC).
The new rules specify 11 categories of not-for-profit entities that are eligible for an org.au domain name, including incorporated associations, public companies limited by guarantee, non-distributing co-operatives, indigenous corporations, registered organizations (such as trade unions), charitable trusts, non-trading cooperatives, public or private ancillary funds, unincorporated associations registered with ACNC, political parties, and Government statutory agencies.
auDA, the Australian Government endorsed administrator of the .au domain, suggests that organisations that are unincorporated associations and are not a registered charity may consider:
- becoming an incorporated association in their state or territory; or
- transferring their domain name to a related organization that is either an incorporated association, a public company limited by guarantee, or a Government statutory body (for example, a local sporting club, may wish to transfer their name to a state-based peak body, or a local community group looking after a local park may wish to transfer their name to an appropriate local government entity).
Download a fact sheet from .au Domain Administration Ltd here
This information has been provided by auDA, the Australian Government endorsed administrator of the .au domain