Posted on 28/04/2010 by
In New Zealand, it is not possible to register a domain name directly with a country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) i.e. ‘.nz’. A second level domain name (2LD) must be used. For example, it is not possible to register baldwins.nz, rather it must be baldwins.co.nz.
This is mirrored in Australia, with open 2LDs like ‘.com.au’ and ‘.net.au’, which are available to the general public and closed 2LDs like ‘.edu.au’ and ‘.gov.au’ which are only available to entities within a defined sector.
In December 2009, the Australian Domain Name Administrator auDA set up a 2LD Advisory Panel to evaluate proposals for the creation of new 2LDs in the .au domain space and provide recommendations to the board of the auDA. The auDA has now released a Discussion Paper inviting public submissions and proposals for new 2LDs in the .au domain space, and comments on the reactivation of the current but inactive 2LDs, ‘.conf.au’ and ‘.info.au’.
The Paper sets out principles that will apply to the submission and evaluation of new 2LD proposals, including among others –
The proposed 2LDs must also meet the selection criteria of being able to serve the needs of users that are not being served by existing 2LDs, clearly supported by users and in particular the users it is intended to serve, generally relevant and consistent with the .au hierarchy and auDA policies.
The closing date for submissions is 23 May 2010. All submissions will be posted on the auDA website unless marked confidential.
For further information and advice on submitting proposals or other domain name matter, please contact us.