What is a Director ID & Who needs it
A director ID is a unique identifier that a director will apply for once and keep forever.
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.
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.
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
Importantly, it is not only the directors of trading companies that need a Director ID. If you’re a director of a passive investment entity or indeed a corporate trustee (such as of a discretionary trust of a self-managed super fund), you too will need to apply for a Director ID.
How to apply
To apply for the Director ID online, directors will have to use the myGovID app to log onto the Australian Business Registry Services website. Directors will then have to provide various details such as their individual Australian tax file number, residential address, and documents for identity verification (for example ATO notice of assessment, bank account details or PAYG payment summary) as part of the application.
Here is the link for the Australian Business Registry Services website: https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/apply-director-identification-number
If you already have a myGovID you the application only takes 5 minutes. Alternatively, directors can apply for the Director ID via phone or with a paper form.
When to apply
Applications for a Director ID are free and now open.
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 |
If you need documentation to enable you to setup your myGovID and/or Director ID, please gibe us a call on 02 4910 5555 or contact us here.
