Need help applying for your Director ID? Here’s a step-by-step guide.
On 1 November 2021, the Director Identification Number (Director ID) regime was introduced by the Australian government.
Under this regime, all directors of Australian companies must have a Director ID, which is a unique 15-digit identifier that directors need to apply for once, and a number they will keep forever – even if you change companies, stop being a director, change your name, or move interstate or overseas.
It has been introduced as part of the federal government’s Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program, which is part of the Digital Business Plan.
The MBR program will bring together the Australian Business Registry Service with over thirty (30) ASIC registers. This will help businesses, communities and government agencies to register, manage and access valuable information.
Director ID applications opened in November 2021, and obtaining a Director ID is a legal requirement.
This process requires each Director to personally apply for their Director ID. You need to verify your identity, meaning your accountant or another advisor cannot complete this on your behalf.
The deadline for applying for your Director ID depends on the date that you become a director. All directors – irrespective of your appointment date – are encouraged to apply for their Director ID number well in advance of the relevant application deadline.
New directors will be required to apply for their Director ID number BEFORE they are appointed.
If you were already a director on or before 31 October 2021, you have until 30 November 2022 to apply. That’s still the case even if you become a director of another company after 31 October 2021.
Download your step-by-step guide to applying for your Director ID number
Download an infographic guide to applying for your Director ID number
Who needs a Director Identification Number?
You will need a Director ID if you are a director of:
- a company
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
- a corporate trustee (for example, of a self-managed super fund)
- a charity or not-for-profit organisation that is a company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
- a registered Australian body (for example, an incorporated association that is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and trades outside the state or territory in which it is incorporated)
- a foreign company registered with ASIC and carrying on business in Australia (regardless of where you live).
If your organisation has an Australian Business Number (ABN), you can use the ABN Lookup service to find out if it is registered with ASIC as:
- a company – which will have an Australian Company Number (ACN)
- a registered Australian body – which will have an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN)
- a registered foreign company – which will have an ARBN.
Note: The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations maintains a register of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations. These corporations have an Indigenous Corporation Number (ICN) and may also have an ABN.
When do you need to apply for a Director Identification Number?
When you must apply for your Director ID depends on the date you became/will become a director.
Directors are encouraged to apply for their Director ID number well in advance of the relevant application deadline.
If you plan to become a Director, you must apply before you’re appointed.
If you were already a director on or before 31 October 2021, you have until 30 November 2022 to apply. That’s still the case even if you become a director of another company after 31 October 2021.
Need more help?
The ATO Director ID demonstration video will take you through the steps you need to complete to apply for your director ID.
Need more information?
- Visit the Australian Business Registry website: www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number
- Use the ABN LookUp service to find out more about your organisation’s ASIC registration
Contact us
For further information or assistance regarding your Director ID, please contact your Bentleys advisor.
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and should not be relied on as advice. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs and seek professional advice before making any decisions based on this information.
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Bentleys Network
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