The Domain Name Standard operates in conjunction with the broader Australian Government Domain Name Policy.
WA public sector agencies are required to apply to the Office of Digital Government for all new domain names.
The standard aims to:
- reduce the proliferation of domain names
- govern and manage the creation of wa.gov.au domain names
- enforce the use of the wa.gov.au in the Western Australian public sector
- promote the WA Government brand for all Western Australian public sector online information and services, and present them as the authoritative sources of trusted and accurate content.
The standard is part of the Digital Services Policy Framework that underpins the Digital Services Policy.
Overview
A domain name is a friendly way to identify a string of unique nonsensical numbers which devices (like a computer) use to communicate with other devices over the internet.
A domain name can be used for different things, for example it can be used for a website, email address or to identify your brand. An example of a website domain name is www.WA.gov.au.
Much like a business name, a domain name must be registered before you can use it. There are many different types of domain names, and different registration rules apply. The wa.gov.au domain for example is reserved for use by Western Australian state and local government entities only.
Definition of terms
| Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
| Domain name | Unique text descriptor for a service, website, application or network. |
Top Level Domain (TLD)
| There are many different types of domain names. The Top Level Domains (TLD) are the highest level in the Domain Name System (DNS) structure. Examples of TLDs include: .com, .au, .net, .org
|
| Second level domain | Below the TLD is the second level domain. Examples of second level domains include: .com.au, gov.au, net.au
|
| Third level domain | Directly below the second level in the DNS hierarchy is the third level domain, for example: wa.gov.au, edu.wa.au, telstra.com.au, abc.net.au, sbs.com.au
|
| Fourth level domain | The next level down from the third level in the DNS hierarchy is the fourth level domain. Western Australian agency website generally uses a fourth level domain. Examples include: premiers.wa.gov.au, parliament.wa.gov.au, dpc.wa.gov.au, health.wa.gov.au
|
| Subdomains | Domain names below the second level are often referred to as subdomains. Example 1: wa.gov.au ‘wa’ is a subdomain of the ‘gov.au’ domain. Example 2: premiers.wa.gov.au ‘premiers’ is a subdomain of the ‘wa.gov.au’ domain. |
Purpose
The Domain Name Standard establishes the governance framework for the administration and management of the wa.gov.au domain.
Objectives
The Standard aims to:
- reduce the proliferation of domain names
- govern and manage the creation of wa.gov.au domain names
- enforce the use of the wa.gov.au in the Western Australian public sector
- promote the WA Government brand for all Western Australian public sector online information and services, and present them as the authoritative sources of trusted and accurate content.
Scope
This Standard applies to all entities as defined under Section 3 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (the Act). This includes all agencies except those listed in Schedule 1 of the Act.
This Standard covers the use of new domain name for any purpose by any of the above entities, and the management of any wa.gov.au domain name.
This Standard must be read in conjunction with the gov.au Domain Policies.
Who can apply for a wa.gov.au domain?
Only entities established by an Act of Parliament or government regulation as a government department or agency; a local government entity; a statutory authority; or other defined government body within the Western Australian Government can apply for the wa.gov.au domain.
Out of scope
- Registration and management of non-wa.gov.au domain names e.g.: com.au, net.au, wa.edu.au
- Registration and management of wa.edu.au domain names, which are applicable to Education Institutions (e.g. Universities, schools, TAFEs). Application and registration of wa.edu.au domains are through Education Services Australia Ltd.
- Registration and management of domain names by non-Western Australian Government entities.
Authority
The Western Australian Government Domain Name Standard underpins the Digital Services Policy and is a mandatory component of the Digital Services Policy Framework (DSPF).
Requirements
- Western Australian public sector entities requiring a new domain name for any purpose must register their domain names within the wa.gov.au domain.
- Western Australian public sector entities requiring a domain name for a new website must comply with the WA Public Sector Website Standard.
- Western Australian public sector entities are required to decommission any domain names (including any associated subdomains) that are no longer required.
Approval authority and assessment of domain name applications
The Office of Digital Government (DGov) is the Western Australian Government Domain Provider, and has the delegated authority to assess individual domain name applications for the Western Australian Government. Domain names that do not comply with this Standard and other related policies and standards will not be approved.
Approvals are subject to verifying that you have:
- approval from your Director General or equivalent delegated authority
- provided evidence that your application meets the domain name policies and standards and the website considerations articulated in the WA Public Sector Website Standard
- clearly described a valid reason and purpose for the new domain.
DGov as the Western Australian Domain Name Administrator (WA DNA) will seek clarification from the domain name registrant if any of the above require more information or further clarity.
Domain name considerations
| Business need | Considerations and recommendations | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I want to register a new domain name for my agency’s new website | Before applying for a new domain name for the purpose of a new website, refer to the Website Standard for website requirements. Agency websites generally take on a fourth level domain name. For example, premier.wa.gov.au, dpc.wa.gov.au, treasury.wa.gov.au Western Australian public sector entities operating in a commercial or semi-commercial environment may apply for a non-Western Australian government domain (e.g. .com.au). Western Australian public sector entities looking to protect against the use of high profile government ‘brands’ in other domain spaces, can register extra domains outside of the Western Australian Government domain (for example westernaustralia.com). However, you should only promote the Western Australian government domain. | ||||||||
| I want to register a new domain for a specific topic or initiative that is owned by my agency | It is not necessary to have a separate domain name for each product or service you offer. High-profile agency-specific initiatives or agency specific initiative at a whole of government level may warrant a separate domain name or short URL for promotional purposes, which can redirect to the content within the WA.gov.au website or agency website. Either a subdomain or subdirectory can be setup for this. Example of subdomain vs. subdirectory:
| ||||||||
Whole of government campaign (i.e.: politically oriented campaign) or advertising websites are required adhere to the Premier’s Circular 2017/02: Advertising and communications expenditure and related policies. | |||||||||
| I want to register a domain name for my division or business unit within my agency | Your agency’s website structure should be based on the services it offers rather than by its organisation structure. | ||||||||
| I want to register a domain name for a new website. I am from a local government agency. | Local government entities are not within the scope of the Digital Services Policy and the Digital Services Policy Framework. However, local government entities can apply for the wa.gov.au domain. Examples include:
|
How to apply for a wa.gov.au domain name
To apply for a new wa.gov.au domain:
- Check the requirements of the
- gov.au domain name eligibility and allocation policy criteria
- Western Australian Government Domain Name standard (this document)
- Check availability of the proposed domain name using .au Whois Lookup
- If it is available, proceed with the registration by completing the domain name registration form
- WA DNA will assess your domain name application and respond to the domain name registrant.
Related policies, standards and guidance
For guidance on domain name for the purpose of a new website, refer to the Western Australian Public Sector Website Standard.
This standard should be read in conjunction with the Digital Services Policy Framework suite of policies, standards and guidance materials.
For guidance on information on name server changes, transfer of existing domain names and how to decommission domain names, refer to WA DNA webpage.
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