Director ID must for all Company Directors

What is Director ID

A director identification number (director ID) is a unique identifier you will keep forever. It will help to prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities

How director ID works

A director ID is a 15-digit identifier given to a director (or someone who intends to become a director) who has verified their identity with us.

A director ID:

• starts with 036, which is the 3-digit country code for Australia under International Standard ISO 3166
• ends with an 11-digit number and one ‘check’ digit for error detection.

Directors need to apply for their own director ID. It’s free to apply.

Directors will only ever have one director ID. They’ll keep it forever even if they:

• change companies
• stop being a director
• change their name
• move interstate or overseas.

Why you need a director ID

Shareholders, employees, creditors, consumers, external administrators and regulators are entitled to know the names and certain details of the directors of a company.

All directors are required by law to verify their identity with us before receiving a director ID. This is important because it 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
• identify and eliminate director involvement in unlawful activity, such as illegal phoenix activity.

Illegal phoenix activity is when a company is liquidated, wound up or abandoned to avoid paying its debts. A new company is then started to continue the same business activities without the debt. When this happens:

• employees miss out on wages, superannuation and entitlements
• suppliers or sub-contractors are left unpaid
• other businesses are put at a competitive disadvantage
• the community misses out on revenue that could have contributed to community services.

Who needs to apply and when

Last updated: 01 December 2021

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.

Who needs a director ID

You need a director ID if you’re an eligible officer of:

• a company, a registered Australian body or a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act).
• an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).

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 you need to apply

You can apply for a director ID now.

If you plan to become a director, you can apply before you’re appointed.

Corporations Act directors

When you must apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director.

Date you become a director

On or before 31 October 2021

Between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022

From 5 April 2022

Date you must apply

By 30 November 2022

Within 28 days of appointment

Before appointment

To be a director under the Corporations Act, you must:

• be an individual who is at least 18 years old
• not be disqualified from managing corporations, unless the appointment is made with the permission of ASIC or the Court.

For more information on the Corporations Act, visit the ASIC website

Apply for your director ID

Step 1 – Set up myGovID

Step 2 – Gather your documents

Step 3 – Complete your application

Manage your director ID

Once you have your director ID, you can view, update and manage your details online at any time.

View or update your details

If you have a myGovID, you can log in to ABRS online to view your director ID or update your details whenever you need to.

You can:

• check your director ID number and status, including when it was issued
• view things to do, actions in progress and past activity
• edit your profile preferences and some of your personal details

Your legal obligations

Directors of companies have legal obligations under the Corporations Act 2001. You must be actively involved in overseeing the company’s affairs and give your written consent to be appointed as a director.

The Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) sets out the duties required of directors. Directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations also have duties that are consistent with directors’ duties under common law and the Corporations Act 2001.