Choosing the right domain name is one of the most critical steps for any business building an online presence in Australia. For years, .com.au has been the go-to choice, but since the introduction of .au direct domains in 2022, business owners now have another option. Both are trusted and valid, but there are apparent differences in how they position your website and brand.
.com.au vs .au – What’s the difference?
The difference between .com.au and .au is that .com.au is the long-established commercial domain requiring an ABN, ACN or Australian trademark, while .au direct is a newer, shorter option launched in 2022 that removes the second-level structure and allows simpler names like yourbusiness.au. A .com.au is seen as traditional and credible, while .au offers a modern, streamlined alternative for anyone with an Australian presence.
Here’s how they compare side by side:
| Feature | .com.au | .au (direct) |
| Type | Second-level domain under .au | Direct registration under .au |
| Example | yourbusiness.com.au | yourbusiness.au |
| History | In use for over 30 years | Launched March 2022 |
| Eligibility | Requires ABN, ACN, or Australian Trademark | Anyone with an Australian presence is eligible. |
| Perception | Seen as established, professional, and highly credible | Seen as modern, shorter, and more memorable |
| Use cases | Trusted by established businesses and professional services | Favoured by start-ups, e-commerce, and branding campaigns |
| Recognition | Familiar to most Australians who are used to typing .com.au | Growing awareness, but still less familiar than .com.au |
| Length | Longer, slightly harder to fit into ads and branding | Shorter, simpler, and better for marketing |
The history of .com.au and the arrival of .au
For more than 30 years, .com.au has shaped how Australians view business websites. It has built credibility through auDA’s strict allocation process, which requires registrants to have an ABN, ACN, or an Australian trademark. Customers know that a .com.au address is tied to a legitimate business.
The launch of .au direct domains by auDA in 2022 reflected a push to modernise the namespace and align with global trends. Many countries already use short top-level domains, and .au provides the same opportunity for Australians to adopt a cleaner and more direct web address.
Why .com.au remains popular with businesses
.com.au continues to be the most popular choice for businesses in Australia. Its advantages include:
- Longstanding recognition and trust among customers.
- Association with established businesses and professional services.
- Strong credibility both locally and internationally.
- Reinforcement of a professional and reliable image.
For organisations that want to show stability and tradition, .com.au remains the clear favourite.
Why .au is gaining traction
The .au direct domain is growing quickly in popularity. Its benefits include:
- Shorter, more memorable names that are easy to type and promote.
- A modern look that appeals to digital-first businesses and start-ups.
- Strong visibility in marketing and advertising campaigns.
- Reinforcement of an Australian identity through a direct country code domain.
Businesses that want to appear contemporary and agile often see .au as the better fit.
Who can register a .au domain name?
Anyone with an Australian presence can register a .au domain name. You can prove that you have an Australian presence by:
- Show proof of residency and/or citizenship by providing a driver’s licence number, passport number or Medicare card number.
- Providing your ABN/ACN or state-based business number.
- Providing your Australian Trademark.
More on domain registration: How to Register a Domain Name: A Beginner’s Guide
Practical use cases – when to choose each
Best use cases for .com.au
- Established businesses with a long track record.
- Professional industries such as law, accounting, and consulting.
- Companies with clients who are more familiar with the traditional extension.
Best use cases for .au
- Start-ups and new businesses looking for a sharp and modern domain.
- E-commerce stores are seeking short, memorable web addresses.
- Campaigns or promotions where a streamlined domain stands out.
Why owning both matters
Registering both .com.au and .au versions of your domain name is often the smartest approach. It provides:
- Protection against competitors or impersonators securing a similar name.
- Flexibility to use one domain for your main website and the other for campaigns.
- The ability to redirect traffic from one to the other, ensuring customers always reach you.
- Peace of mind that your business identity is secure across both extensions.
For a small annual cost, securing both is an effective way to protect your brand.
SEO, marketing, and customer perception
From an SEO perspective, Google treats .com.au and .au domains equally. Both are country code top-level domains that signal relevance to an Australian audience. What matters more is hosting locally, creating content for an Australian audience, and following good optimisation practices.
From a marketing perspective, .au offers the advantage of brevity. Shorter domains are easier to share on social media, fit neatly into advertising, and are more memorable in word of mouth. .com.au, however, still carries the weight of familiarity and trust that comes from decades of use.
Customer perception is shifting. Many Australians still instinctively type .com.au, but awareness of .au is growing rapidly. By embracing the new extension, early adopters may benefit from appearing modern and forward-thinking.
The future of .au domains
The uptake of .au domains has been strong since their release, and they are becoming a normal part of the Australian online landscape. As awareness grows, .au will continue to stand alongside .com.au as an equally credible choice.
Businesses that wait too long may find their preferred names already taken. Acting early ensures your brand is protected in both namespaces.
Secure your .com.au and .au with VentraIP
The safest strategy for any business is to register both .com.au and .au. This gives you the recognition of .com.au and the simplicity of .au, while protecting your brand identity across both extensions.
VentraIP is Australia’s #1 registrar for .au domain names, trusted by more businesses than any other registrar. With transparent pricing, 24/7 local support, and an easy-to-use management platform, VentraIP makes it simple to secure and manage your domains.
Search for your perfect domain name today and lock in your .com.au and .au with the domain registrar Australians trust most.
