The Australian Business Registry Services have started contacting directors who are required to apply now for a director identification number (director ID).
Our clients who are currently directors or who are planning to become a director will need to apply for a director ID. Directors appointed under the Corporations Act:
- before 1 November 2021, must apply by 30 November 2022
- between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022, must apply within 28 days of being appointed
- from 5 April 2022, must apply before being appointed.
You can find more information about who needs to apply for a director ID at abrs.gov.au/deadlines.
Applying for a director ID online
Allan Hall cannot apply for a director ID on a client’s behalf. A director must apply for a director ID themselves. Apply for a director ID online at abrs.gov.au/directorIDapply.
Directors must set up their myGovID with a standard or strong identity strength before they apply for a director ID.
Applicants will need at least two of the following Australian identity documents to prove their identity:
- Driver’s licence or learner’s permit
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Visa (using a foreign passport)
- Citizenship certificate
- ImmiCard
- Medicare card
You can find a list of documents that you can use to prove your identity at www.mygovid.gov.au/verifying-your-identity.
Directors will need additional information that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) knows about you when applying for a director ID online.
- Tax file number (not essential, but recommended)
- residential address as held by the ATO, and
- information from two documents to prove your identity — applicants can use any two of these documents:
- Bank account details held by the ATO
- ATO notice of assessment
- Super account details
- Dividend statement
- Centrelink payment summary
- PAYG payment summary
You can find more information about which documents can be used to prove your identity at abrs.gov.au/verify.
Directors who don’t apply online
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) is responsible for enforcing director ID offences set out in the Corporations Act 2001. It is a criminal offence if directors do not apply on time, for more information about the penalties that may be applied, visit asic.gov.au/director-id.