auDA has today announced that the auDA Board has approved an increase in the wholesale price of .au domain name licences. This price adjustment, effective from 1 October 2024, will see the annual fee rise from AUD $7.78 to AUD $8.45 (excluding GST). This change impacts domain name licences that can be registered or renewed for periods of up to five years. The price increase is not effective until September 2025 with respect to priority rights applications for .au domain names in contention.
Comparative Price Data
When comparing the wholesale prices of various Top-Level Domains (TLDs), it becomes evident that .au domains continue to offer significant value. The table below illustrates the annual wholesale prices of several popular TLDs in both USD and AUD:
| TLD | Wholesale Price (USD) | Wholesale Price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| .co | USD 22.00 | $33.02 |
| .nz | NZD 18.00 | $16.75 |
| .net | USD 10.91 | $16.47 |
| .com | USD 10.26 | $15.49 |
| .org | USD 9.93 | $14.95 |
| .dk | DKK 56.55 | $12.37 |
| .ca | CAD 10.50 | $11.59 |
| .no | NOK 65 | $9.00 |
| .au | AUD 8.45 | $8.45 |
| .uk | GBP 3.90 | $7.30 |
Even with the price increase, .au domains remain competitively priced, continuing to deliver strong value for money to registrants. The annual wholesale price of a .au domain name licence is significantly less than the wholesale price of comparable TLD options.
Why is auDA Changing the Wholesale Price?
The decision to adjust the wholesale price reflects a response to inflation-based cost pressures associated with administering the .au domain. This change will support auDA’s ongoing efforts to:
- Operate as a Self-Funding Not-for-Profit Organisation: Ensuring sustainability without relying on external funding, which is a requirement under auDA’s Terms of Endorsement from the Federal Government.
- Invest in Cyber Security: Maintaining and enhancing auDA’s cyber security stance to protect the integrity of the .au domain space.
- Meet Strategic Aims and Core Functions: Continuously improving and delivering on the strategic aims and core functions essential to the organization’s mission.
Conclusion
This price change, effective from 1 October 2024, not only addresses inflation-related costs but also reinforces auDA’s commitment to security, sustainability, and strategic growth. .au domain names remain one of the most affordable options among top-level domains.
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