13 August, 2018
Another option in the .au name space you may not have heard of is a Community Geographic Domain Name, also known as a CGDN.
A CGDN is website address that includes the locality name and the state, such as yourtown.sa.au, .nsw.au, .qld.au and so on. These are tightly controlled extensions that are only available to community groups that are not-for-profit legal entities or a special committee of local council. In both cases, the registrant must be broadly representative of the community for which the Community Geographic Domain Name is being sought.
There are more hoops to jump through in order to register a CGDN compared to some other .au options, including an application form that must be first completed, submitted and reviewed. The application asks for various information including how the domain will be used and why the applicant group feels it best represents the community that the CGDN relates to. It also asks questions relating to the organisation's mission, what it plans to achieve with a web site and when that is expected to be live.
The form also asks for the names of a recommended 8 members of the group and their community interests and activities.
Along with a copy of the group's certificate of incorporation, a supporting letter will also need to be provided indicating evidence of community support for the CGDN application. It's suggested this letter be provided by locality's local council.
Further details on the CGDN process can be found here. (By the way, Community Geographic Domain Names aren't available for registration through our service).
If you couldn't be bothered with the paperwork or there are other factors that prevent your group from applying for a CGDN, then there are other .au options for groups wanting to showcase their local community and activities. These include .org.au or .asn.au, which are available to register by non-commercial organisations and associations can also register .com.au names. During the registration process of a name with one of these extensions, you'll just need to provide the incorporated association number and ensure you observe the usual guidelines associated with choosing and using .au addresses.
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How to register a name: Enter your choice in the search tool and click 'GO'. If after the check the domain names search results show your choice is available, you will then have the option to proceed to purchase registration; which is a very quick and easy process - start a search and find your ideal website address now.
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