If you've lost access to a .com.au or .au domain because the previous owner is uncontactable, the business closed, or the registrant no longer exists, you may be able to recover it through auDA (the .au Domain Administration).


Recovery Options


Eligibility Complaint — If the current registrant no longer exists (company deregistered, deceased) or no longer meets eligibility requirements, you can lodge a complaint with the domain's registrar. If upheld, the domain will be deleted and become available for registration.


auDRP Dispute — If you have a registered trademark or business name and believe the domain was registered in bad faith, you can file a dispute through WIPO.


Note: An eligibility complaint does not reserve the domain for you — once released, it's first-come, first-served.


Getting Started


  1. Look up the domain at whois.auda.org.au to find the current registrar
  2. Contact that registrar to lodge an eligibility complaint, or
  3. File an auDRP dispute through WIPO if you have IP rights


For full details, see auDA Complaints and Disputes.