Director IDs have been introduced to verify the identity of directors and help prevent the use of fraudulent director identities. Applying for a Director ID is free, and you’ll need one if you’re already a director or intend to become a director of a company or other body corporate registered under the Corporations Act.
Don’t delay in getting your Director ID because deadlines apply!
A Director Identification Number, or ‘Director ID’ for short, is a unique identifier that you’ll apply for once and keep forever, even if you change companies, stop being a director, change your name, or move interstate or overseas. Director IDs are the first service to be delivered by the recently-established Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), as part of the government’s Modernising Business Registers program.
The following people must apply for a Director ID:
Just like applying for a tax file number, only you can apply for your own Director ID, so that you can verify your identity with the ABRS. No one else can apply for you.
You can apply online now by completing these three simple steps.
Step 1: Visit the ABRS website, click the ‘Apply now with myGovID’ button and log in. MyGovID is an app you download that lets you prove who you are when using government online services. MyGovID is not the same thing as your myGov account. If you don’t have a myGovID, you’ll need to set one up to a standard or strong identity strength. To set up your myGovID, visit the myGovID website.
Step 2: You’ll need to answer some questions that will verify your identity and link it to your Australian Tax Office record. The fastest way to complete this step is to provide your tax file number and residential address, as held in ATO records.
Step 3: You need to complete a Director ID application form which should take you less than five minutes. Once you’ve completed it and clicked submit, you’ll instantly receive your Director ID on screen.
If you can’t apply for your Director ID online, there are non-digital options you can use.
You can apply by phoning 13 62 50.
You’ll need:
If you can’t apply online or over the phone, you can apply using a downloadable form. This is a slower process and you will also need to provide certified copies of your documents to verify your identity. If you have issues completing the form, you can find help on the ABRS Accessibility page.
Your deadline for applying for Director ID depends on when you were appointed as a director:
| Appointed as director | Deadline | |
| On or before 31 October 2021 | 30 November 2022 | |
| Between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 | Within 28 days of appointment | |
| From 5 April 2022 | Before appointment as director |
The key is to apply!
Even if you haven’t received your Director ID, as long as you’ve applied for it by the deadline, then you will not be in breach of your Director ID obligations.
If you can’t apply in time for some reason, you can complete an application for an extension.
It is a criminal offence if you do not apply on time and can be penalised under the Corporations Act, even if you didn’t know about this requirement. ASIC is responsible for enforcing Director ID offences.
It is your responsibility to apply for a Director ID on time. Otherwise, you may:
The only exception for liability is that you did not know you became a director of a company.
Once you have received your Director ID you should advise:
The ASIC company registers are expected to be transferred to the ABRS in September 2023. This is when your Director ID will need to be linked to the companies you direct.
We’ll keep you up to date with changes but for now, you should continue to use the ASIC registers.
