To renew a domain name, log in to the account where it’s registered, find the domain, choose a renewal period and pay. That’s it. The two things to check first are that the renewal notice is genuine (fake domain invoices are common) and, for .au names, that the ABN or ACN on the domain is still active. Here’s the five-minute version.
Key takeaways
- Renew only through the registrar or reseller that already manages your domain.
- Fake “renewal” letters from unknown companies are a long-running scam.
- .au names can be renewed up to 90 days before expiry, for one to five years.
- Since 20 May 2026, .au renewals fail if the ABN or ACN behind the domain is no longer active.
- Turn on auto-renew and keep the contact email current, so it never lapses.
How do I renew my domain name?
- Find your registrar. Look for previous invoices or emails. If you can’t find them, a WHOIS lookup shows the registrar’s name.
- Log in to your account with that registrar or reseller.
- Find the domain and check the expiry date and the owner details.
- For .au names, confirm the ABN or ACN is the one you’re still trading under.
- Choose a renewal period. Longer terms mean fewer chances to forget.
- Pay and check for the confirmation email with the new expiry date.
- Turn on auto-renew while you’re there.
Is this renewal notice genuine?
Be careful with any letter or email that asks you to renew a domain. For years, some companies have sent official-looking notices to trick businesses into switching registrars or paying inflated prices. In 2018, the ACCC secured $1.95 million in penalties against Domain Corp and Domain Name Agency. They had sent about 300,000 notices that looked like renewal invoices, and businesses paid about $2.3 million (ACCC).
Warning signs include a company you’ve never dealt with, a slightly different domain name (such as .com instead of .com.au), urgent language and a bank transfer request. Our guide to domain renewal scams shows real examples and how to check.
When can I renew a .au domain?
According to auDA, you can renew a .au domain up to 90 days before it expires, for a term of one to five years.
If you miss the expiry date, there’s a 30-day grace period. During it, your website and email stop working, but you can still renew. Some registrars charge a restore fee. After that, the name is purged and anyone can register it.
What’s the new ABN check?
Since 20 May 2026, renewals of .au names are blocked if the ABN or ACN behind the domain is no longer active, according to registrar notices such as TPP Wholesale’s. If you’ve changed business structure, for example from sole trader to company, update the domain to the new entity before it’s due. A registrant transfer fixes it.
How do I make sure it never lapses?
- Turn on auto-renew, with a payment card that won’t expire soon. Our guide to domain auto-renew explains the settings.
- Use a shared business email as the contact, not one person’s inbox.
- Renew for longer terms on names you’ll always keep.
- Keep all your domains in one account, so nothing gets missed.
- Lock the domain against unauthorised transfers. Our page on domain security covers this.
Wondering whether you’re paying too much? Our guide to domain renewal prices shows what’s fair. Or move your names to us for domain renewals without surprises, managed alongside your website.
You can manage all your names in one place with our domain registration for Australian businesses.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a domain renewal take?
Usually minutes. The new expiry date appears straight away in most registrar accounts.
What happens if my domain expires?
Your website and email stop working. For .au names, you have a 30-day grace period to renew. After that, the name is released to the public.
Can I renew my domain with a different company?
Only by transferring it, which needs an auth code from your current registrar. A random renewal letter is not a transfer, and paying it may not renew your domain.
How far ahead can I renew a .com.au?
Up to 90 days before expiry, for one to five years at a time.
Why did my .au renewal fail?
A common reason since May 2026 is an ABN or ACN that’s no longer active. Check it on the Australian Business Register, then update the registrant if needed.
Sources
- Renewing your domain licence, auDA
- Domain Name Corp and Domain Name Agency to pay $1.95 million in penalties, ACCC, 15 June 2018
- AU domain renewal rules changing from 20 May 2026, TPP Wholesale, 2026