ATO – Director ID communication pack

The director identification number (director ID) obligation is the first initiative to be delivered by the ATO as part of Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).

When fully established, ABRS will bring the Australian Business Register (ABR) and more than 30 Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) registers together in one place. This will streamline how you register, view and maintain your business information with government.

A director ID is a unique 15-digit identifier for which all directors must apply. Its free to apply and you only need to apply once and will keep your director ID forever.

To learn about a director ID, who needs one and how to apply, you can watch the director ID overview video. To find out more information visit abrs.gov.au/directorID.

Who needs a director ID?

If you are currently a director, or you want to become one, you’ll need a director ID. This includes anyone who is a director of a company or other body corporate registered under the Corporations Act or the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act (CATSI Act). For full list of who needs to apply, visit Who needs a director ID.

When to apply

When you need to apply for a director ID depends on the date and under which Act you were appointed. Directors appointed under the Corporations Act 2001:

  • between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 need to apply within 28 days of appointment
  • on or after 5 April 2022 need to apply before they are appointed
  • before or on 31 October 2021 need to apply by 30 November 2022.

Directors appointed under the Corporations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (CATSI) Act 2006:

  • before or on 31 October 2022 need to apply by 30 November 2023
  • from 1 November 2022 need to apply before they are appointed.

How to apply

The fastest way to apply for your director ID is online at abrs.gov.au/directorIDapply.

To apply online, you will need a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength. If you don’t have a myGovID you can find information on setting up a myGovID at mygovid.gov.au/setup

You will need to apply for your director ID yourself, so we can verify your identity. Your authorised tax, BAS or ASIC agent can’t apply on your behalf, but they can help you understand the new requirement, and if you need to apply and by when.

For some directors it might not be possible to apply online or over the phone, whether that’s due to being overseas, accessibility requirements or other factors. If you can’t set up a myGovID or apply online, the best way to apply will depend on your situation. Apply for your director ID has information about phone and paper application options available.

When you receive your director ID, you need to pass it on to the record-holder in your company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation. This might be your company secretary, another director, a contact person or an authorised agent of the company.

There is no requirement to provide your director ID to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Manage your director ID has information about what you should do with your director ID. For now, your director ID won’t be linked to your company. This will happen as more services are made available via ABRS.gov.au.

Helpful links and resources

ABRS website

ATO website

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