A domain name search tells you in seconds whether a web address is free to register. Type the name you want into a registrar’s search box, choose the ending (such as .com.au or .au), and the result shows “available” or “taken”. If it’s taken, you still have good options, and this guide walks through them.
Key takeaways
- A domain search checks the live registry, so “available” means you can register it right now.
- Search the exact name first, then the .com.au, .au and .com versions together.
- To register a .com.au, the name must link to your business name, an acronym, a trade mark or what you sell.
- If your name is taken, a short descriptive word or your location usually beats hyphens and odd spellings.
- Register the variations you’d hate a competitor to own, and point them all to one website.
What does a domain name search actually check?
Every domain ending has one central registry. For .au names, that registry is overseen by auDA, the body that sets the rules for Australia’s domain space. When you search, the registrar asks the registry whether anyone currently holds a licence for that exact name.
The answer comes back as one of three results:
- Available: nobody holds it, and you can register it now.
- Taken: someone holds a current licence. It may or may not have a website on it.
- Premium or reserved: the name is held back or priced higher by the registry or a reseller.
Demand is real. There were more than 4.4 million .au domains registered in October 2026, and over 67,000 new ones were created in that month alone, according to auDA’s registry statistics. Good names go quickly, so check early in your planning.
How do I check if a domain name is available?
- Write down your exact business name, plus any short versions or acronyms people already use.
- Search the name in a domain search tool. Leave out spaces and the “www”. Most tools check several endings at once.
- Look at .com.au first if you trade in Australia. It’s what local customers expect to see.
- Check .au and .com too. Holding all three stops anyone else using a near-identical address.
- Read the result carefully. A price next to the name usually means it’s available. “Taken” or a “make an offer” link means it isn’t.
You can run this search right now from our domain names for Australian businesses page. It checks .com.au, .au and .com together and shows the price beside each one.
What if my business name is already taken?
Don’t panic, and don’t settle for the first odd variation. Try these in order, because they keep the name easy to say and remember:
| Option | Example | When it works |
|---|---|---|
| Add what you do | smithplumbing.com.au | Almost always. It also tells customers your service. |
| Add your location | smithbrisbane.com.au | Local trades and services. |
| Use a different ending | smith.au | When the .com.au is parked, not an active business. |
| Use a short call to action | getsmith.com.au | Product brands and apps. |
| Use your acronym | sbp.com.au | When customers already use it. |
Avoid hyphens and creative spellings where you can. People forget them, and they mistype them when they hear your address on the phone or the radio.
Can I register any name I like as a .com.au?
No. A .com.au needs an Australian business identity behind it, such as an ABN or ACN. The name must also match or abbreviate your business name or trade mark, or describe a product or service you offer. That’s set out in auDA’s .com.au rules.
The newer .au direct names (such as yourbusiness.au) are more open. Anyone with an Australian presence can register any available name. It’s a handy back-up when the .com.au is gone.
One more rule matters since 20 May 2026. Renewals of .au names are now blocked if the ABN or ACN behind the domain is no longer active. If you restructure or close a company, update the domain at the same time.
Should I buy a taken domain from its current owner?
Sometimes it’s worth it. If the name is parked with no website, the owner may sell. Be careful, though:
- Use an escrow service or your registrar’s transfer process, never a direct bank transfer to a stranger.
- Check the name’s history on the Wayback Machine. A domain once used for spam can carry baggage.
- Remember .au licences don’t transfer automatically. A change of owner needs a registrant transfer, and you must meet the eligibility rules yourself.
Thinking of switching to a better name later? Changing a domain on an established site affects search rankings, so plan the move. Our guide to changing your domain name without losing SEO covers the redirects you’ll need.
What should I do once I find an available name?
Register it straight away. Names don’t stay free for long, and searches are not reserved for you. Then:
- Turn on auto-renew, so the name never lapses by accident.
- Register the close variations you want to protect.
- Set up email on the domain before you print anything.
- Point the domain at your website host.
Some hosts bundle a domain with a hosting plan. If you’re comparing deals, read our explainer on free domains with hosting before you sign up, because the renewal terms often differ. If you need hosting as well, we run Australian web hosting with free SSL and free migration on every plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is a domain name search free?
Yes. Searching costs nothing and doesn’t commit you to anything. You only pay when you register the name.
Can someone see my search and register the name first?
Reputable registrars don’t sell or act on your searches. Still, searches don’t reserve a name, so register it as soon as you’re sure.
Do I need an ABN to register a .com.au?
You need an Australian commercial identity, such as an ABN or ACN, or an Australian trade mark. A .au direct name only needs an Australian presence.
How long does a domain registration last?
A .au licence runs for one to five years. You can renew up to 90 days before it expires.
What happens when a taken domain expires?
The owner has a 30-day grace period to renew. After that, the name is purged and becomes available to anyone.
Sources
- Registry Monthly Stats, October 2026, auDA, November 2026
- com.au and net.au rule changes, auDA
- Renewing your domain licence, auDA
- AU domain renewal rules changing from 20 May 2026, TPP Wholesale, 2026