A director identification number (director ID) is a unique identifier given to a director who has verified their identity with the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).
Your director ID confirms your identity and will in future show which companies you’re linked to.
You now need a director ID if you are a director of a company, registered Australian body, or Australian registered foreign company.
ASIC is responsible for enforcing director ID offences set out in the Corporations Act 2001. It is a criminal offence if you do not apply for a director ID.
Who needs to apply
If you want to become a director or are already one, you'll need a director ID. When you need to apply depends on the date you become a director.
You need a director ID if you're a director of a:
Company
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
Corporate trustee, for example, of a self-managed super fund
Charity or not-for-profit organisation that is a company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
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
Foreign company registered with ASIC and carrying on business in Australia (regardless of where you live).
An eligible officer is a person who is appointed as:
a director
an alternate director who is acting in that capacity.
You will only ever need one director ID. You don’t have to apply for another one if you become a director of other companies or corporations.
You must apply for your own director ID to verify your identity. No one can apply on your behalf.
When do I need to apply?
How to apply for your director ID
The fastest way to apply is online using the myGovID app.
Step 1 – Set up myGovID
You will need a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength to apply for your director ID online.
If you live outside Australia and can’t get a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, you will need to apply with a paper form and provide certified copies of your identity documents.
If you live in Australia and:
don’t have a myGovID, you can find information on how to download the app at How to set up | myGovID
already have a myGovID, you can apply for your director ID now.
Please note: myGovID is different from myGov:
myGovID is an app. You download the myGovID app to your smart device. It lets you prove who you are and log in to a range of government online services, including myGov.
myGov is an account. Your myGov account lets you link to and access online services provided by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Centrelink, Medicare and more.
Step 2 – Gather your documents
You will need to have some information the ATO knows about you when you apply for your director ID:
your tax file number (TFN)
your residential address as held by the ATO
information from two documents to verify your identity
Examples of the documents you can use include:
bank account details
an ATO notice of assessment
super account details
a dividend statement
a Centrelink payment summary
a PAYG payment summary (this is different to your income statement, and/or your PAYG instalment activity statement)
Step 3 - Complete your application
Once you have a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, and information to verify your identity, you can log in and apply for your director ID.
The application process should take less than 5 minutes.
Manage your director ID
If we act as your ASIC Agent, you are required to pass your director ID onto us. You will also need to pass your director ID onto the company secretary.
If you’re appointed as a director of any other companies (or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations) in the future, you need to give your director ID to the relevant record-holders.
There is no requirement to provide your director ID to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
As always, we are here to help, if you have any questions in relation to the director ID requirements or process, please contact our office on +617 544 1432.
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