Director Identification Numbers

In our November 2021, we brought to the attention of our clients Directors, the new requirement for a Director ID Number.

A copy is below:

You need a Director Identification Number from the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS)!

If you are a Director of an Australian company in any capacity, including a Director of a Corporate Trustee for your Self Managed Super Fund or Trust, you will need to apply for the unique 15 digit Director Identification Number (DIN). If you are a temporary Director, or appointed for a limited time, you will still need a DIN.

Your accountant can NOT apply for this on your behalf. The fastest way to apply is via the MyGov ID app. The application process is free, and once you have your number you are responsible for maintaining the details.

The DIN is yours for life and will identify you across any company in which you act as a Director. This initiative is to assist in stamping out illegal activities and assist in tracking directorial relationships across multiple companies. The ID number will remain the same regardless of changes in names, location, companies or roles.

To apply for DIN, click this text to go to the ABRS and from there, follow the instructions and read more about it. It may take a few attempts for the system to issue your DIN, and while it is annoying, you do need to do it. 

Once you have your DIN, and are a Director of one of our client companies, provide us with it as soon as possible so we can update our systems. It may display on the screen, so print the screen to PDF and keep a copy for your records. 

Date you first become a director                                                              Date you must apply

Meeting your obligations

Your director ID obligations include:

• applying for a director ID within the relevant timeframe for your situation
• applying for a director ID when directed by the Registrar to do so
• not applying for more than one director ID (unless directed by the Registrar to do so)
• not misrepresenting your director ID to a Commonwealth body, company, registered Australian body or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
• not being involved in a breach of the above director ID obligations.

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 (NAT 75390, PDF 271KB). If you need further assistance, you can contact the ABRS. It is a criminal offence if you do not apply on time. ASIC is responsible for enforcing director ID offences set out in the Corporations Act 2001.

The below penalties are in place as at 31 May 2022 which can be viewed here.