Domains & DNS

How domain name renewals work

Your domain name is the name your website and email addresses use. It's the part after the @ in your email address, often ending in .com.au. You don't own it outright. You register it for a period and must renew it to keep it.

The basics for .com.au domains

• .au domains are registered for 1 to 5 years at a time, and you can renew up to 90 days before the expiry date.
• They're managed under rules set by auDA, the .au domain administrator. A .com.au domain needs an Australian business connection, such as an ABN.
• You renew through the provider the domain is registered with.

What happens if it expires

Your website and email stop working. After a short grace period, the domain can be released and someone else can register it. Getting it back can be difficult or impossible. Don't let important domains lapse.

Good habits

• Keep auto-renew turned on and your payment card up to date.
• Make sure the contact email on the domain is one that someone actually reads.
• Beware of renewal scams. Companies you've never dealt with send "domain registration" or "listing" notices that look like invoices. Only pay renewals from the provider your domain is actually registered with. If you're not sure, forward it to us in a ticket.

Questions about your domains?

Chat with us to check your domains' expiry dates, or raise a ticket if you want to transfer, register or cancel a domain.