23:59 UTC on 20 September 2022 is the cut-off to register for your .au direct domain. The .au domain is the new, general purpose,
shorter Australian domain name option.
If you do not register the direct match of your existing domain for the direct .au domain, you risk your brand equity being consumed by
someone else, rivals redirecting your clients to their products and services, squatters holding the domain, or cybercriminals impersonating
your business. The opening of the new .au domain is the single biggest shift in Australian cyber real estate in decades and the risks for
business are high.
If you are registering:
then you have priority access but only up until 23:59 UTC on 20 September 2022 (9:59am AEST on 21 September). Once this deadline has passed,
the .au direct domain name will be available to anyone with a connection to Australia to register from 21:00 UTC 3 October 2022 (8:00am AEDT
4 Oct).
While you can register for the .au domain through any number of providers, the most efficient method is to utilise your existing provider. To do this, you will need your domain’s access information. If these details cannot be found, for example, the details were held by a former staff member, it can take some time to recover them so do not leave the registration process until the last minute.
What happens if .com.au and .net.au both apply for the .au name?
If you share a domain name with another entity, for example, one entity owns .com.au and the other .net.au, the right their domain after 4 February 2018. If the name is contested by a Category 1 and a Category 2 applicant, the Category 1 applicant will secure the name. If two Category 2 applicants apply for the name, the name is allocated to the applicant with the earlier domain license creation date. But, it gets tricky when two Category 1 applicants apply to register the .au domain will cascade according to priority. Category 1 are those that secured the domain on or before 4 February 2018. Category 1 applicants have priority over Category 2 applicants who registered for the name. In these circumstances, both parties must agree on the allocation or the name remains unallocated.
Once you have applied for your matching .au domain, if your application is uncontested, you will be able to use the .au direct name soon
after applying for priority status.
After overwhelming demand and sold-out sessions in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Mornington in 2025, we’re inviting expressions of interest for 2026. If you missed out earlier or are ready to dive into hands-on automation training, we’re considering additional sessions in various locations across Australia in 2026.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - MELBOURNE CBD
15 & 16 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - SYDNEY
11 & 12 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
With more Australians living well into their 80s and beyond, managing your longevity risk is more important than ever. Learn how income products like annuities can support your lifestyle for the long haul – no matter how long your retirement lasts.
Retirement isn’t one-size-fits-all. We examine the three stages of retirement – and how each one affects your spending, planning and financial wellbeing.
Understanding the 3 stages of retirement and what they mean for your money, and how to future proof your retirement income.
LIVE 2-DAY COURSE - ADELAIDE CBD
8 & 9 December 2025
Join SkyBots’ 2-day Workshop with automation expert Daryl Aw to revolutionise your workflow using Power Automate, UiPath, VBA,
and cutting-edge AI tools like Copilot and ChatGPT. Tailored for accounting and finance
professionals, bookkeepers and small business owners, this hands-on training will teach you to automate repetitive tasks, generate and
optimise VBA scripts, and deploy robust automation solutions independently.
In most cases, car loans in Australia can be paid out before the end of the loan term. However, depending on your loan type and lender, early repayment fees may apply.
Debt consolidation involves rolling several existing debts into a new single loan. Instead of managing five different repayments.
Choosing a principal and interest loan from the outset can lead to long-term savings and financial security.
Australia's housing market is heating up with property prices across capital cities rising at their fastest rate in almost four years.
This is a great time to explore your mortgage options. You may need to refinance your current loan or take out an investment loan.
Gold Coast unit prices have overtaken Sydney's for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the Queensland coastal market.
Equipment finance makes the most sense when it helps your business grow. If new machinery will increase productivity, open up new contracts, or allow you to expand your services.
Understanding the 3 stages of retirement and what they mean for your money, and how to future proof your retirement income.
SMART Business Solutions is proud to announce its recognition as the winner of Excellence in Local Community Connection (Medium–Large Business) and Excellence in Access and Inclusion at the 2025 Mornington Peninsula Business Excellence Awards.
It might seem like a clever strategy - moving surplus business cash into your personal mortgage offset account to save on home loan interest, then shifting it back to the company around tax time. But there’s a catch: the ATO sees this, and they’re not fans.
