The new Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) has been established to streamline how you register, view and maintain your business information with government.
From November 2021, directors will need to verify their identity as part of a new director ID requirement.
If you are planning on becoming a director, you can apply before you’re appointed.
When you must apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director.
| Date you become a director | Date you must apply |
| On or before 31 October 2021 | By 30 November 2022 |
| Between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 | Within 28 days of appointment |
| From 5 April 2022 | Before appointment |
Directors keep their ID forever, even if they change companies, move interstate or overseas, or change their name.
Director ID will help to:
- prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities
- make it easier for external administrators and regulators to trace directors’ relationships with companies over time
- prevent director involvement in unlawful behaviour, such as illegal phoenix activity.
This applies to directors if their organisation is a company, registered foreign company, registered Australian body or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.
Directors must apply for their director ID themselves because they will need to verify their identity. No one can apply on their behalf.
The ABRS is responsible for the implementation and administration of director ID.
ASIC will be responsible for the enforcement of associated offences.
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).
You don’t need a director ID if you’re:
- a company secretary but not a director
- acting as an external administrator of a company
- running a business as a sole trader or partnership
- referred to as a ‘director’ in your job title but have not been appointed as a director under the Corporations Act or the CATSI Act
- a director of a registered charity with an organisation type that is not registered with ASIC to operate throughout Australia
- an officer of an unincorporated association, cooperative or incorporated association established under state or territory legislation, unless the organisation is also a registered Australian body.
To complete your online application, you will need:
- a standard or strong identity strength myGovID. If you don’t have one, visit https://www.mygovid.gov.au/set-up
- an individual Australian tax file number (TFN). Providing your TFN is optional but it speeds up the process
- your residential address, as recorded by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- answers to two questions based on details we know about you from the following documents.
Helpful links:
https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number
https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/about-director-id