About Domain/Website Names
3. What is a domain name?
4. What is a registry? A registrar? A registrant?
5. How can I get a .au domain name?
6. How much does a domain name cost?
7. How do I find out if a .au domain name is available?
8. What are valid characters and lengths for domain names?
9. How soon can I start using my domain name?
10. What are generic domain names? Can they be registered?
11. How many domain names can I register?
12. Who is auDA? What are they responsible for?

1. Is Squiggle 100% Australian owned?
This is a common question and it is good to see so many Australian's supporting Australian companies. Yes Squiggle is 100% Australian owned and operated. We always strive to offer the best service possible at competitive rates.

2. What are Squiggle's prices?
Squiggle offers a range of services to cover all your business needs and our prices are competitive. Please see our prices page for more information.

3. What is a domain name?
A domain name, or website name, is your electronic address, where your website is hosted and you receive email.
Types of Domain Names:
There are a number of Second Level Domains (2LDs) within the .au domain. Each 2LD has a purpose, as indicated in the list below. The 2LDs are divided into two categories:

"OPEN 2LDs"
These domains are open to all users subject to eligibility criteria. Policy is administered by auDA, and registration services are provided by auDA Accredited Registrars. The registry operator is AusRegistry.

"CLOSED 2LDs"
These domains are closed for use by a defined community of interest. The relevant peak body for that community is responsible for administering policy and providing registration services.

asn.au
OPEN - For incorporated associations, political parties, trade unions, sporting and special interest clubs.

com.au
OPEN - For commercial entities, such as companies (with ACN as registered through ASIC), and businesses (registered with state governments).

net.au
OPEN - For commercial entities, such as companies (with ACN as registered through ASIC), and businesses (registered with state governments).

id.au
OPEN - For individuals who are Australian citizens or residents.

org.au
OPEN - For charities and non-profit organisations. edu.au
CLOSED - For educational institutions registered at federal or state level.

gov.au
CLOSED - For federal, state and local government bodies.

csiro.au
CLOSED - For the sole use of the Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO).

info.au
Presently not accepting new registrations. This domain is under review as part of auDA's New 2LD process.

conf.au
Presently not accepting new registrations. This domain is under review as part of auDA's New 2LD process.

4. What is a domain name registry? A registrar? A registrant?
A registry is an entity that maintains the master database of domain names for a particular top level domain (TLD). AusRegistry is the registry (wholesale provider) for domain names in .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, .id.au, .gov.au, .edu.au and .asn.au.

The registry receives domain name information from registrars, who register domain names on behalf of registrants-people like you who would like to register and use a domain name. The registry puts that information into what is called a "zone file", which allows computers to route Internet traffic to and from domains around the world.

5. How can I get a .au domain name?
You can register .au domain names through any auDA accredited registrar. Registrars deal directly with registrants or may use a reseller (Squiggle).

Resellers operate under an agreement with the registrar. Resellers deal directly with the registrant, and are not accredited by auDA but are regulated via registrars. Unlike registrars, resellers do not deal directly with the registry.

6. How much does a domain name cost?
Each registrar or reseller determines its own prices and policies for domain name registrations. In addition, most registrars and resellers offer additional services, such as Web site hosting and website site development, that may be of interest to you.
Please see our prices page for more information.

7. How do I find out if a .au domain name is available?
Contact Squiggle via email or phone (go to contact page) and let us know the domain name you are interested in. We will search for its availability and reply with an answer to your request within 24 hours on a working day.

8. What are valid characters and valid lengths for domain names?
.au names can contain the English-language letters A through Z, and the digits 0 through 9. You can also use hyphens, but hyphens cannot begin or end your domain name. Spaces and special characters (such as !, $, &, ë, and so on) are never permitted. The minimum length is 3 characters, and the maximum length is 63 characters (excluding the "http://www" portion).

9. How soon can I start using my domain name?
Once the registry has been updated, the information in our database is shared with the Internet's zone files worldwide. This sharing process is called "propagation," because the new information about your domain spreads or propagates across the Internet. The zone files are propagated frequently, every day of the year. We cannot control the rate at which the millions of name servers on the Internet are updated, but generally your domain should be available to Internet users within a very short period.

10. What are generic domain names? Can they be registered?
A generic domain name is a domain name that is registered using a non specific term. shopping.com.au, sport.com.au or even car.com.au are all examples of generic domain names. In the past, generic domain names were not available in the .au namespace. As of July 1st 2002 some generic domain names became available with more likely to follow.

11. How many domain names can I register?
The policy for registering domain names has changed. An Australian business may now register a derivative of their business name or create separate domains for their associated products. They may even wish to register the profession in which they practice. Also, an Australian individual can register an .id.au domain name. As long as the domain name is a part of the Registrants name or a derivative he may register as many as he likes!

12. Who is auDA? What are they responsible for?
auDA, the .au Domain Administration, is the government-endorsed manager of the Australian domain name space. auDA is an independent, not for profit body.

auDA grants licenses to Registry operators. It accredits and licenses Registrars who can sell domain names in .au to eligible individuals, companies or organisations.

auDA sets policies for domain registration in Australia, for example the types of names that can be used as domain names. It also facilitates the .au dispute resolution policy.