Is .au replacing .com.au?

No, the .com.au domain namespace is not going away and is not changing. The .au domain space is a new top-level domain.

Can I have both a .com.au and a .au?

Yes, you can register both.  If you already own the .com.au you can apply for a priority allocation for your matching .au.  See Priority Allocation below.

What are the eligibility rules for a  .au registration?

.au is only available for Australians and you will need to provide proof of your eligibility when you register. This protects the .au from being purchased by overseas third parties and then demanding a high price.

The full eligibility and allocation criteria can be found here on the auDA website

What do I need to register a  .au?

The .au registration process is the same as registering a .com.au. In most cases, your ABN or ACN will be all that is required as long as you match the eligibility rules.

How do I claim my matching  .au?

If you own a current .com.au domain name and would like to register your matching .au domain you will need to apply for a Priority Allocation.  If multiple parties own matching domains (ie, party 1 owns .com.au and party 2 owns .net.au) you will need to go through the priority allocation process.

You will have six months to apply for your matching domain before it becomes available to other parties.

If no-one else owns a matching domain then you will normally be allocated your new domain name within 24 hours.

What is a Priority Allocation?

If you have an existing .com.au and would like to register your matching .au, you will need to apply for a Priority Token.

The auDA manages the .com.au and .au domain and you will need to apply for a Priority Token from them. They will email the .com.au registrant with a link to obtain the token.  You will need to supply this when registering your .au domain name.

The entire allocation process can be found here.

How do I receive my priority token?

You can request your priority token directly from the auDA when their Priority status tool goes live.
You can find the tool here. The tool is currently not live.

What happens if there are multiple Priority Allocations?

Pre-existing .com.au (and others such as .net.au) are split into two categories based on the creation date for the domain.  Existing domains registered before or on the 4th of February 2018 are given a higher priority (category 1). Domain names created after this date are given a category 2.

What is a Category 1 Priority Allocation?

If you registered your matching domain name on or before the 4th of February 2018 you will be allocated a Category 1 token.

What is a Category 2 Priority Allocation?

If you registered your matching domain name after the 4th of February 2018 you will be allocated a Category 2 token.

What happens when there are multiple Category 1 applications?

If multiple Category 1 applications have been made for a .au the domain will be locked. It will remain locked until only one of the applications remain.  This will require all other applicants to withdraw their applications.

Each applicant will be required to renew their application every year to remain in the running to obtain the .au name. If the renewal for the .au is not paid before the expiry, then the application will be dropped and considered withdrawn. 

What happens when there is one Category 1 application and multiple Category 2 applications?

If only one Category 1 application has been made for a .au the domain will be allocated within 24 hours. This is regardless of how many Category 2 applications have applied.

The Category 1 applicant has until September 22, 2022 to claim their .au. After which the Category 2 has who has the earliest registration date for their matching domain will be allocated the domain.

A Category 1 can also decline to apply for the .au before the September 22, 2022 expiry. Then the Category 2 who has the earliest registration date will take the primary spot for the September 22, 2022 expiry.

What happens when there are multiple Category 2 applications and no Category 1 applications?

If no Category 1 applicants are registered then the Category 2 has who has the earliest registration date for their matching domain will be allocated the domain within 24 hours.

If this Category 2 does not apply for the .au before the September 22, 2022  expiry, then the Category 2 has who has the earliest registration date will take the expiry primary allocation spot for the September 22, 2022 release.

What happens to Category 1 and Category 2 domains that have no applicants?

If no applications are made before September 22, 2022 or all eligible applicants decline to apply, the .au domain will be made available to the general public.