To protect the standing of Australian universities nationally and internationally, the former Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs agreed in March 2000 to a set of National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes, which included provision for tighter protection of the title ‘university’:
- In State/Territory business names and associations legislation, and under the Commonwealth Corporations Act 2001; and
- Through the establishment, in all Australian jurisdictions, of a legislative framework specifying consistent criteria and procedures by which an institution may use the title ‘university’.
The following Guidelines will assist applicants requesting consent for the registration of a domain name that includes the word 'university'.
A domain name that implies a connection to an existing Australian university or includes the word 'university', or an abbreviation thereof, is unavailable for registration unless the criteria in these guidelines are met. However, each application will be considered on its merits, having regard to the individual circumstances involved, to allow the decision maker to exercise discretion.
All applications to DEEWR should submit the following supporting documentation in conjunction with their application:
- the proposed domain name,
- the name of the company, registrable Australian body or foreign company,
- a description of the intended nature of the website, and
- a statement on whether the body intends to provide education services or issue qualifications.
Submit your application in writing to:
Quality Unit
Higher Education
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
LC: C50MA9
GPO Box 9880
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: highered@deewr.gov.au