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Frequently asked questions
Who we are
1. How did Melbourne IT become the com.au administrator?
Prior to Melbourne IT becoming the administrator in October 1996, a part-time volunteer provided the com.au domain name services (registration of new names, delegation of particular names to servers and redelegation of domain names from one server to another).
Due to the volume of work and requirements for a timely response (some applications took 26 weeks to process), it was necessary to institute a commercial bureau. Melbourne IT was delegated the task of administering the com.au domain by the then com.au administrator and the .au administrator.
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2. Where did your policy come from?
Melbourne IT became the com.au administrator in October 1996. Before taking on the role, Melbourne IT worked with Robert Elz (the .au administrator, and previous com.au administrator) to document the policies for the com.au domain. Once the policies had been documented, Melbourne IT took them to the then peak Internet industry group, the Internet Industry Association of Australia (INTIAA) for approval. The policies and Melbourne It's pricing structure were modified at INTIAA's request.
At that point in time, neither the Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) nor the Australian Domain Name Authority (ADNA) had been formed. In February 1997, Melbourne IT proposed changes to the rules, and these changes were approved by INTIAA's Domain Name System (DNS) Forum. This change involved a loosening of the rules so that rather than excluding all common words (ie all words that could be found in a common dictionary), only "generic" words (representing a commercial category) were excluded.
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3. Who is Internet Names Australia (INA)?
Internet Names Australia ("INA") is a division of Melbourne Information Technologies Australia Pty Ltd ("Melbourne IT").Melbourne IT became the com.au domain administrator in October 1996, being delegated this authority by the .au administrator, Robert Elz. Since that time we have been working to increase performance of domain name application processing to the point where the bulk of applications are now processed the same or next day. Within the next few months, we will be releasing a new version of our pricing structure to reflect this practice.
To reflect the diversification of the company, and growing importance of domain name services, Melbourne IT created INA as a separate business unit.
Applying for a Domain Name
4. How do I check if a name is available?
Go to www.melbourneit.com.au/com_au and click on apply for a domain name. At the bottom of the page you will find a namestatus tool. Type in the domain name and submit. If it is already registered it will give you the details of who it is registered to, if not then it will say not visible to the dns, thus it is available for application.
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5. Can I register mycompanyname.com.au if mycompanyname.com (mycompany.net, mycompany.net.au, etc.) exists?
Yes, each domain name space is completely separate and each domain name is considered different.
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6. How do I check if my name is a place name?
The Gazetteer of Australia can be searched at http://www.erin.gov.au.
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7. How do I register a business name?
Please contact the relevant authority in your state:
VIC Office of Fair Trading & Business Affairs (03) 9627 6200
ACT Register of Businesses & Associations (06) 207 0459
NSW Dept Consumer Affairs (02) 9286 0007
QLD Dept Consumer Affairs (07) 3246 1554
WA Office of State Corporate Affairs (09) 321 4344
SA State Business and Corporate Office (08) 8226 0700
NT Office of Business Affairs (089) 89 4136
TAS Corporate Affairs Office (0362) 33 2199
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8. How do I check my registered business or company details?
These details can be checked via the Australian Securities Commission's web site, http://www.search.asc.gov.au
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9. How will I know if my domain name is accepted?
An email will be sent to the email addresses included in the application form, applicant, admin contact and technical contact indicating the result of the application.
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10. How do I pay for my domain name
On acceptance of the domain name you will be emailed an invoice. This may be printed and faxed to us with credit card details or sent in the mail with a cheque.
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11. What process does an application go through?
All com.au applications are lodged with AUNIC (whether they are lodged directly with AUNIC, or go to AUNIC from Melbourne IT or any other source). AUNIC is the central repository for all .au domains (with the exception of net.au). Once AUNIC receives an application, it sends a copy of the application to the appropriate administrator. In the case of com.au, applications are sent to Melbourne IT.
When Melbourne IT receives the application, we process it by performing a number of checks, including:
Checking the details of information provided (eg business or company name details)
Checking that the name requested is not another company's or business' name
Checking that the requested name is not a generic word
Checking that the requested name is not an Australian place name
If the application is accepted, checking the delegation details (if any)
Once all of these checks are performed, the application is accepted or rejected and sent back to AUNIC which then sends email to all the listed parties (the source of the application and the nominated admin and technical contacts).
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12. "Registration and Delegation". What exactly is the difference?
There is a difference between domain name registration and domain name delegation.
Domain name registration simply reserves the domain name for your use.
Domain name delegation (which requires that the domain name be registered to you) means that you host the domain with an Internet Service Provider.
For delegation, you must specify your primary and secondary name servers by using the .com.au (Australian) Delegation Application Form.
When applying for a new domain, you can request registration only, and at a later date request delegation. You might also request delegation at a later date if the delegation did not work when you originally requested registration and delegation (for example, your server was incorrectly set up and delegation did not work).
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13. Where can I register other domain names?
At http://www.aunic.net you are able to find application forms for other .au domain spaces. Current generic top level domain names can be registered at www.internic.net.
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14. I want to know about my .net.au, .org.au, etc.
Melbourne IT only registers .com.au domain names.
For a list of other .au registrars please go to http://www.aunic.net.
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Registry Details
15. What is a Nic Handle?
A Nic handle is a string (characters and letters) that maps to a database entry which contains details of a person, organisation, network or domain. Many of our forms request that you enter your Nic handle, by keeping your Nic handle details up-to-date , it is not necessary to enter all your details everytime you use one of our forms, only your Nic handle. There are forms available which let you create and update a Nic handle. Currently it is possible to edit a personal/organisation Nic handle and a domain Nic handle, but not network Nic handles. (Forms can be found at http://www.aunic.net) eg: personal Nic handle - EN243-AU domain Nic handle - MELBOURNEIT-COM-AU-DOM
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16. How do I change the registry details?
Go to http://www.aunic.net and select 'To Edit a NIC handle (personal or Domain NIC) use this form'. You can change the following registry details:The organisation postal address The nominated admin and technical contacts.
To make these changes permanent, you will need the registry key for the domain name (see " 6. I have lost my registry key" above). You cannot edit the other fields in the registry. If the organisation name, ACN, Registered business name or RBN must be changed. Please request this in writing to Melbourne IT with a brief explanation of why the changes should be made.
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I7. I have lost my registry key
The registry key can be obtained from the Australian Network Information Centre (AUNIC) registrar. Please send email to register@aunic.net.
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18. How do I delete my domain name?
A deletion request must be made on company letterhead with an authorised signature. The admin and technical contacts are contacted via email once the request is made and again when it is processed, ie when Melbourne IT deletes the name.
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Domain Delegation
19. How much does delegation cost?
There is no additional cost for delegation. The fee for delegation is included in the license fee.
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20. How do I check my delegation details?
Go to http://www.aunic.net and select Namestatus. Type in the domain name and click submit. If the domain name is delegated it will give nameserver and mailserver details.
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21. My domain name was approved but it is not visible?
If you supplied delegation details in the application, the delegation may have failed. Read the delegation text in the approval notice. The error will be displayed here for you to address and submit a delegation request.
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Registration Problems
22. What do I do if my name is already taken?
You will need to choose another domain name that can be derived from your company/business name. You could also try and contact the licensee to work out some arrangement.
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23. My application has been rejected, what do I do now?
Please read the correspondence at the bottom of the rejection email. Make all the necessary changes and resubmit your application.
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24. How do I appeal a rejection?
Send an email to policy@ina.com.au containing the domain name, the reason for rejection and why you feel you have reason for appeal. Management will look into the application and make a final decision.
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25. How do I give my domain name to someone else?
Domain names are non-transferable which means that you cannot sell your domain name to someone else. If you make an agreement with someone that you relinquish the domain name so that they can apply for it, that is your business. Simply ask Melbourne IT to delete the domain name.
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