New Director ID (DIN) requirement
All Directors of Australian companies will now need to verify their identity as part of a new Director ID (DIN) requirement. 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.
Directors will keep the same DIN regardless of whether they become a director of another company, cease to be a director, change their name or move interstate/overseas.
What is a Director ID?
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 the Australian Business Registry Services.
Who is required to apply for a Director ID?
A person must apply for a DIN if they are an eligible officer of:
• a company, a registered Australian body or a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001; and/or
• 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 (or will be appointed as come November 2021):
• a director; or
• an alternate director who is acting in that capacity.
Directors must apply for their director ID 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:
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 appointed as a director of other companies in the future, you will need to provide your ID number to the people responsible for maintaining the records of those companies as well.
Directors must also inform the Registrar of any changes to the information attached to their DIN.
How to apply for a Director ID
Step 1: Set up a 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: https://www.mygovid.gov.au/set-up
• already have a myGovID, you can apply for your director ID now.
Step 2: Gather personal identification documents
You will need to supply some personal information when you apply for your Director ID, such as:
• Individual Tax File Number (optional)
• Residential address (as recorded with the ATO)
• Answers to two questions, where details are known by the ATO, such as:
o Bank account details
o An ATO notice of assessment
o Super account details
o A dividend statements
o A Centrelink payment summary
o PAYG payment summary.
Step 3: Complete your application
Once you have completed step 1 and 2, you can go to the ABRS website and apply for your Director ID. The application process should take you less than five minutes to complete.
If you can’t get a myGovID, you can apply using alternative methods such as:
1. By phone if you have an Australian Tax File Number; or
2. By completing a paper form and providing certified (translated) copies of your documents to verify your identification.
Further details about the application process can be found on the ABRS website here: https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/apply-director-identification-number/verify-your-identity
Manage your Director ID
Once you have your director ID, you can view, update and manage your details online at any time.
You will need to provide your Director ID to the corporation’s record-holder, which can be the company secretary, another director or an authorised agent of the company.
Your director ID confirms your identity and will in future show which companies you’re linked to. The law doesn’t authorise us to disclose director IDs to the public without the director’s consent. For now, your director ID will not be searchable by the public.
What happens if you can’t apply by due date?
If you can’t apply by the date you need to, you can complete an Application for an extension of time to apply for a director ID (NAT75390, PDF, 271KB). If you have issues completing the form, you can find help on our Accessibility page.
If you don’t meet your obligations:
• there may be civil or criminal penalties
• you may be issued with an infringement notice.
Disclaimer: * The information contained in this site is general and is not intended to serve as advice as your personal circumstances have not been considered. PFS Tax Accountants Pty Ltd recommends you obtain personal advice concerning specific matters before making a decision.