In March 2025, the industry body that sets the rules for browser trust (the CA/Browser Forum) reduced the maximum validity of all publicly trusted SSL certificates to 200 days. This applies to every certificate provider, including RapidSSL and all other certificates sold by Hosting Australia.
Why did this change?
SSL certificates used to be issued for up to around 13 months. In March 2025 the CA/Browser Forum, which all major browsers and certificate authorities follow, cut the maximum validity to 200 days. This is a global industry change designed to reduce the window in which a compromised or mis-issued certificate can be misused, and to push providers towards more automated renewal. It is not specific to Hosting Australia, and no provider can issue a certificate lasting a full year any more.
What does this mean for my paid term?
- Your annual or multi-year invoice covers the certificate service for the period you paid for.
- Because the certificate now expires at the 200-day mark, it is renewed automatically at that point, within your paid term, at no extra charge.
- You will receive a fresh certificate at each renewal point instead of one that lasts the full year.
- Your next billing date does not change, and there are no additional charges for the mid-term renewal.
What do I need to do?
- If your certificate is installed on Hosting Australia hosting: nothing. It is renewed and installed for you automatically.
- If your certificate is installed on your own server: we will supply the renewed certificate to you when it is issued (or you can retrieve it from the Client Area). Install it before the current certificate expires, and let us know if you need help.
- Watch for our renewal notices and expiry reminders so you have the new certificate in hand before the old one expires.
Need help?
Open a support ticket or call us on (07) 4914 2433 and we will check your certificate status and renewal for you.
