Written by Hannah Byun
All existing directors of ASIC-registered companies need to apply for their director identification number (director ID) by 30 November 2022.
A director ID is a unique 15-digit number that all directors need to apply for to verify their identity. Director IDs are free and stay the same across company changes, name changes and moves overseas. They have been introduced to increase transparency and prevent fraudulent or unlawful director activity.
Directors of corporations and companies (including not-for-profits), corporate trustees, registered Australian bodies and registered foreign companies need to apply for a director ID by the 30 November 2022 deadline. If you are a director of a company registered with the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), you must apply by 30 November 2023). If you are a director of a sole trader, partnership, incorporated association, or trust, you do not need a director ID.
The fastest way to apply for a director ID is online at the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) website abrs.gov.au/directorID. You need a myGovID to log in to ABRS online. Watch this demonstration video for a step-by-step guide.
If you cannot set up a myGovID or do not have the required Australian documents to apply online, you can apply by phone or by paper form. For further details on this process, visit abrs.gov.au/directorID
For additional information see this ABRS factsheet.
