Understanding .au WHOIS status codes is essential for domain owners, registrars, and IT managers who manage Australian domain assets. Each WHOIS code represents the current lifecycle stage or administrative condition of a domain, such as registration, suspension, renewal, or compliance review.
WHOIS status codes fall into two main groups. Server status codes are controlled by the domain registry (Identity Digital), and Client status codes are applied by registrars. Both categories play an important role in maintaining compliance with auDA’s domain renewal, expiry and delete policy.
Server status codes are applied by the registry to define the technical or administrative state of a domain. These codes determine whether a domain is active in the DNS, locked for updates, or pending an operational action.
| Status code | Definition |
|---|---|
| addPeriod | The domain is in a three-day grace period after its initial registration. |
| inactive | The domain is not active in the DNS and will not resolve. |
| ok | The domain has no pending operations or restrictions and can be renewed normally. |
| pendingDelete | The domain is scheduled for deletion and will be purged after 24 hours. This aligns with the Pending Purge status under auDA policy. |
| pendingTransfer | A transfer request to a new registrar has been received and is being processed. |
| redemptionPeriod | The domain has expired but may be renewed or transferred within 30 days. It is removed from the DNS and cannot be updated. This aligns with the Expired Hold status under auDA policy. |
| serverDeleteProhibited | Prevents deletion from the registry, typically during legal disputes or auDA compliance investigations. |
| serverHold | The domain is not activated in the DNS and will not resolve. |
| serverRenewProhibited | The domain cannot be renewed more than 90 days before its expiry date. This restriction is removed once it enters the renewal window. |
| serverTransferProhibited | Prevents transfer to another registrar, usually during legal or compliance reviews. |
Client status codes are applied by the registrar to manage administrative controls, such as renewals, deletions, or updates.
| Status code | Definition |
|---|---|
| clientDeleteProhibited | The domain cannot be deleted. |
| clientHold | The domain is inactive in the DNS and will not resolve. |
| clientRenewProhibited | The domain cannot be renewed. This is uncommon and often used during legal or compliance investigations. |
| clientUpdateProhibited | The domain cannot be updated. This is usually enacted during regulatory review. |
For Australian businesses, understanding these codes provides operational awareness and ensures domain continuity.
Routinely verify domain records and renewal details using authorised WHOIS lookup tools. Consistent review of registration data supports compliance, reduces the risk of service disruption, and ensures domain ownership remains accurate and current.
WHOIS status codes serve as indicators of a domain’s operational state. Understanding both server-set and client-set codes helps Australian registrants maintain compliance, ensure uninterrupted service, and manage renewals effectively. Regular review through authorised WHOIS lookup tools is recommended to maintain domain stability and visibility online.
