Yes, you can register a .com.au without an ABN, but only through another approved route: an Australian company number (ACN), a foreign company’s ARBN, or an Australian trade mark or trade mark application. If you have none of those, the quickest fix is usually a free ABN, which can be issued as soon as you finish the online form. What you can’t do is borrow someone else’s ABN.
Key takeaways
- A .com.au needs an Australian commercial presence: an ABN, ACN, ARBN or Australian trade mark.
- A registered business name doesn’t help on its own, because you need an ABN to register one.
- The trade mark route only works for a domain that exactly matches the trade mark’s words.
- You must stay eligible for as long as you hold the name. Since May 2026, renewals check it.
- No eligibility at all? A .au direct name may suit, if you’re an Australian citizen or resident.
Who can register a .com.au?
auDA, which runs the .au domain, says .com.au names “can be held by commercial entities registered to trade in Australia or that hold an Australian trade mark” (auDA). In practice, that means one of these:
| Eligibility path | Who it suits | What the domain must match |
|---|---|---|
| ABN | Sole traders, partnerships, trusts, companies | Your business or personal name, a product or service |
| ACN | Australian companies | Your company or business name, a product or service |
| ARBN | Foreign companies registered to trade in Australia | Your company or business name, a product or service |
| Australian trade mark (registered or applied for) | Overseas businesses with an Australian mark | The exact words of the trade mark only |
Your street address doesn’t matter. auDA says an Australian address isn’t needed if you meet the presence test, for example with an ABN or Australian trade mark. The domain must also have a connection to you, such as your business name, an acronym of it or a service you offer. Note that auDA has proposed tightening the product and service pathway for new registrations, so check before you rely on it.
I’m a sole trader. Do I need an ABN?
For a .com.au, yes, unless you hold an Australian trade mark. A registered business name won’t get you there by itself either: business.gov.au lists having an ABN as something you need before you can register a business name (business.gov.au).
The good news is that an ABN is free. If your application is complete, you’ll usually learn the outcome as soon as you finish the online form. Some applications go to review, which can take 20 business days (business.gov.au). You do need to be running a business or other enterprise to be entitled to one.
I’m setting up a company. Can I register now?
Only once the company or your ABN exists. If you’re halfway through setting up, two practical options work:
- Get your own ABN first. If you’re already trading as a sole trader, register the name under that ABN. Later, move it to the company with a registrant change. Our guide on how to change a .com.au registrant covers that step.
- Wait for the ACN. Once the company is registered, register the domain in the company’s name straight away.
Can an overseas business get a .com.au?
Yes, through either of two routes. A foreign company registered with ASIC to trade in Australia can use its ARBN. A business without one can rely on an Australian trade mark registration or application.
The trade mark route is strict. The Licensing Rules allow it “only in respect of a domain name that is an exact match of the words” in the trade mark (auDA Licensing Rules). Punctuation, “the”, “and” and the .com.au ending are ignored. Abbreviations and other names aren’t allowed.
If you’re weighing a global name too, our guide to .com.au vs .com explains which one Australian customers trust more.
What mistakes get a .com.au cancelled?
When you register, you promise the information is “true, accurate, and complete”. The rules say a licence “will be suspended or cancelled” if that turns out to be wrong. The common traps:
- Using someone else’s ABN. A friend’s, a relative’s or your developer’s. Even with permission, the domain is legally theirs.
- Letting the ABN lapse. auDA says eligibility must be met “for the entire time that you hold the domain name”. Since 20 May 2026, registrars have reported that .au renewals are blocked if the ABN or ACN is no longer active (SmartCompany). Our article on the .com.au renewal ABN check explains what to do.
- A name with no connection. The domain must match your name, an acronym of it or something you actually offer.
- Selling the business without moving the domain. Domains don’t transfer with the business automatically. They need a registrant transfer.
What if I don’t qualify for a .com.au at all?
Look at a .au direct name, such as yourname.au. auDA’s product guide says anyone with an Australian presence can register one, including citizens, permanent residents and Australian-registered organisations (auDA .au Product Guide 2026). It needs no ABN.
How do I register once I’m eligible?
Have your ABN, ACN or trade mark number ready, search for your name, and enter the details exactly as they appear on the official register. Our .com.au domain registration page explains the process. When you’re ready to register your domain with WMS, it’s $80 + GST for two years. Once the name is yours, pair it with Australian web hosting so your site and email are close to your customers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a registered business name instead of an ABN?
Not really. You need an ABN to register a business name in the first place, so the ABN is what establishes your eligibility. Your business name then gives the domain its connection to you, which is why it can be part of the domain.
Can I register a .com.au with a pending trade mark application?
Yes. auDA’s rules accept an Australian trade mark application as well as a registration. The domain must exactly match the words of the mark. If the application is later refused or lapses, your eligibility goes with it, so keep an eye on it.
Is there a cooling-off period if I register by mistake?
auDA has a three-day cooling-off period for .au registrations. You can ask for the name to be deleted in that time. Whether you get a refund depends on your provider’s own policy, so ask before you register.
What happens to my .com.au if I cancel my ABN?
You stop being eligible to hold it. Under the renewal checks registrars have described since May 2026, it also won’t renew. Before you close an ABN, move the domain to the entity that will keep trading, such as a new company.
Sources
- com.au and net.au rule changes, auDA
- .au Domain Administration Rules: Licensing, auDA
- Register a business name, business.gov.au
- Register for an ABN, business.gov.au
- The 90-day domain name rule, SmartCompany, 30 July 2026
- .au Product Guide 2026, auDA