We get asked this question a lot, and the short answer is: yes — if you want to protect your brand, it’s a smart move. Since the release of .au direct domains (e.g. yourbusiness.au) in 2022, many business owners are wondering whether they need both versions of their domain — the traditional .com.au and the shorter .au.
What’s the Difference?
- .com.au has been the standard for Australian businesses for years.
- .au is the newer, shorter version — no "com", just the business name and ".au".
For example:
- theictshak.com.au
- theictshak.au
They both say "Australian business", but one’s just a little shorter.
So, Do You Need Both?
Not legally, but we strongly recommend it.
Here’s why:
✅ Brand Protection
If you don’t secure your .au domain, someone else can. That could be a competitor, a scammer, or just someone looking to profit off your brand name. Owning both stops that from happening.
✅ Customer Trust
People might accidentally type yourbusiness.au instead of yourbusiness.com.au. If you own both domains, you can redirect one to the other and make sure they always land on your real site.
✅ Future-Proofing
Shorter, cleaner domains are becoming the norm. Having your .au ready to go gives you more flexibility down the track — especially for marketing, email, or rebrands.
✅ It’s Affordable
It usually costs the same as your .com.au registration — a small price to pay to lock in your brand online.
What If I Only Use One?
That’s totally fine. But be aware that somebody else can register the .au domain if you don't!
Final Tip from The ICT Shak:
If you already have a .com.au, grab the .au version as soon as you can. It’s quick, affordable, and one less thing to worry about in your digital setup.
Need help registering or redirecting your .au domain?
We can take care of that for you — just get in touch.
