Captures public state
Each run preserves visible domain-layer posture before report language or interpretation is applied.
Why .auDO exists
The .au Domain Observatory independently observes public domain-layer signals across a fixed panel of .au domains and preserves evidence of visible change over time.
Its purpose is to make an important but difficult-to-see trust layer more observable, explainable and useful without turning public signals into scores, allegations or claims they cannot support.
What it does
Observe, preserve and explain visible domain-layer change
.auDO repeatedly observes the same panel, retains public DNS, registration, mail and infrastructure evidence, and publishes cautious summaries that keep observation separate from interpretation.
Compares change
Repeated snapshots make movement, persistence, gaps and recurring patterns easier to inspect over time.
Publishes cautiously
Reports, State pages, cohort views and explainers distinguish retained evidence from analytical context.
Scope and limits
A fixed-panel evidence resource, not a rating system
The fixed panel supports repeated observation of the same domains. External auDA registry statistics provide namespace-scale context only; they are not .auDO observation evidence.
What it supports
Longitudinal evidence about visible public signals, aggregate panel posture, dated reports, cohort lenses and careful explanation.
What it does not claim
Whole-namespace coverage, sector representativeness, organisational risk, compliance, compromise, fault or internal governance quality.
What it is not
.auDO is not a registry authority, regulator, vulnerability scanner, incident feed, audit, assurance service, certification scheme or real-time monitoring console.
Read the methodology for the panel, collection, preservation, classification and interpretation model.
How to use .auDO
Begin with the question you are trying to answer
The public site separates current posture, dated evidence, signal definitions, method and independently published uses so readers can move through the evidence without confusing one surface for another.
What is visible now?
Use State of .au for derived summaries of the current visible posture of the observed panel.
What changed, and when?
Use the evidence archive, monthly briefs, quarterly reviews and featured analysis for dated context.
What are we trying to learn?
Use the Research Agenda for the standing questions against which longitudinal evidence accumulates.
What does a signal mean?
Use the Signals library and explainers for canonical definitions, interpretation boundaries and plain-language context.
How is the evidence produced?
Use the methodology for panel scope, collection, preservation, architecture, classification and publishing controls.
How is .auDO being used?
See substantive external research and analysis that cites or interprets public .auDO observations.
Need stable project material?
Use the media and research area for approved descriptions, citation guidance, downloads and identity assets.
Stewardship and independence
Independent operation with transparent service dependencies
External funders, clients, partners, providers and observed organisations do not direct .auDO’s scope, method, findings, language, publication timing or corrections.
Stewardship and editorial authority
.auDO was founded and is stewarded by Bryan Chetcuti, who holds final responsibility for scope, analytical method, signal selection, publication timing and corrections.
Operational support
Operational services and project costs are provided by The Vigo Group as an in-kind contribution under a replaceable arrangement that confers no governance or editorial authority.
Commercial separation
Advisory work undertaken by Bryan Chetcuti or The Vigo Group is structurally separate and does not purchase access, priority or influence over .auDO observations or publications.
Infrastructure services
Supabase, GitHub and Cloudflare provide technical services for storage, automation, preservation and delivery. They do not sponsor, review, approve or endorse the observatory’s analysis.
Contact
Questions, corrections, research enquiries and collaboration proposals can be routed through the contact page.