04 November 2010
At the moment, you can only register an Australian domain name (.com.au, .net.au, .org.au, etc.) for a period of 2 years. With other domain extensions, like the .com, you are able to register the domain for 1-10 years, and any 1 year increment in between.
So far, this flexibility has not been afforded to .au domain names for reasons other than what is in the interests of the typical domain owner.
The typical .au domain name owner is the owner of a business or a brand, as to register the most popular .au domain name - the .com.au, one must verify their commercial validity via an ABN (Australian Business Number) or an ACN (Australian Company Number).
This issue of allowing more flexibility is being discussed in the .au Domain Administrator (.auDA) Names Policy Panel, of which I am a member.
In researching for meetings, I have discussed increasing flexibility in .au domain name registration and renewal periods with friends in and out of the internet industry, and every single one states they would appreciate the flexibility of registering .au domain names longer term, and even shorter term.
Shorter term registrations - of 1 year instead of the currently-stipulated 2 years - is particularly relevant to domains registered for events and/or promotions, which only have a short-term lifespan.
Longer term registrations - of 3, 4, 5 and more years instead of 2 - will result in businesses small and large not worrying about renewing domain names so often. It will deliver these businesses, who invest heavily in their brand and identity, more security about their web presence.
The reasons the 2 year period has stood until today are few, with the most valid one being that when renewing every two years, domain owners tend to update their personal information.
While I am all for a fresher and more valid database, I do not believe this is reason enough for Australian (.au) domain name owners to be given inferior flexibility to domain owners in the .com and other domain spaces offered worldwide.
I'd be interested to read the thoughts of others...