All directors of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation will now need a director identification number (director ID). This new identifier will come into effect from 1 November 2021. Directors need to apply for their own director ID and it is free to apply.
About director ID
A director identification number (director ID) is a unique identifier you need to apply for once and will keep forever. It will help 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.
Directors will only ever have one director ID. They will keep it forever even if they:
- change companies
- stop being a director
- change their name
- move interstate or overseas.
Protect your identity
Your director ID will confirm your identity and trace your relationships to companies.
Directors have obligations under the law. You should only give your written consent to being appointed as a director if you will play an active role in overseeing the company’s business affairs.
There are strict rules around how director IDs can be used. For now, your director ID will not be searchable by the public. The Registrar will consult the community about if and when this should change.
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.
Directors must apply for their director ID themselves because they need to verify their identity. No one can apply on their behalf.
When do you need to apply?
When you must apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director.
- Existing Directors (Appointed before 31st October 2021) have until the end of the 13-month transition period to identify themselves and apply – transition period ends 30 November 2022.
- New Directors (Appointed between 1 November 2021 & 4 April 2022) have up to 28 days after their appointment to verify themselves and apply for their Director ID.
- New Directors (Appointed after 5 April 2022) need to verify themselves and apply for a Director ID before they are appointed as a director.
- Existing CATSI Act (Directors appointing before 31 October 2022) Directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered under CATSI Act appointed before 31 October 2022 will have until 30 November 2023 to apply for their Director ID.
- Intending Directors, A person who intends to become a director within 12 months may apply for a Director ID. If the ID is not liked to a company within 12 months, the Director ID will be cancelled, and the director will need to apply to reactivate it.
Application / How to Apply
There are multiple ways to apply for your Director ID:
- Digital Application – Set up myGovID app, provide an email and complete the proof of record ownership (PORO) process via the app and then apply online via the ABRS website.
- Phone Application – Apply for Director ID verbally over the phone and answer questions regarding proof of identity (POI) documents – only available for directors who have an Australian TFN.
- Paper Application – Apply for a Director ID using PDF fillable form and provide certified (and translated) proof of identity documents and mail documents to: ABRS Locked Bag 6000, Albury NSW 2640.
If you have questions around Directors ID’s you can contact our team to discuss further on (07) 5451 1118 or email us.
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