A new domain name format has been introduced in Australia. Current .au domain name holders (.com.au, .org.au, .net.au, .edu.au etc) have less than eight weeks left to reserve their existing domain name in the new format.

There is concern among industry associations that awareness of the roll-out is particularly low in the business community. Find everything you need to know below.

On 24 March the .au Domain Administration (auDA) introduced the new system allowing anyone with a connection to Australia, such as businesses, associations, and individuals, to register a new category of domain name.

Instead of URLs ending with .com.au, .net.au or .org.au, the shorter .au name can now be registered. For example, adia.org.au could be adia.au

Australian businesses have until 20 September 2022 via the Priority Allocation Process to register their equivalent .au domain name before it becomes available to the general public.

The implications of your business name domain being registered by another party are clear.

Opportunistic domain purchases could result in the need to pay much higher prices to secure your own business name at a later date.

More concerning still, a party operating online with your business name in a .au domain opens the door to fraud, leaving your customers vulnerable to scams.

Follow the instructions on the Fact Sheet and register your new .au domain with your current registrar. See the list of accredited registrars here.

Aged care reforms a key focus in Parliament

Federal Parliament is back in session for the first time under the new Labor Government.

Oral health in aged care is a key focus of ADIA so it is encouraging to see aged care reform top of agenda for the Albanese Government this week. Two aged care bills were presented in the House of Representatives yesterday.

The Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022, requiring a registered nurse on-site 24/7 at aged care facilities was read twice.

The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022, containing nine measures to implement urgent reforms to the aged care system passed the Lower House and is due to be debated in the Senate today.

Read the announcement from the Department of Health and Aged Care here.

If you would like further information or to provide feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email.