New Director Identification Number requirements
As part of the Digital Transformation Plan, the Australian Government has introduced a requirement for all directors to apply for a director identification number. This will be a unique identifier that you will need to apply for once and will keep forever. It will help address issues of fraud and remove the need for personal information to be displayed on public registers.
A Director Identification Number (director ID) is a unique 15-digit identifier system designed to verify and track the corporate history of individual directors and their relationships to companies. It will also help protect the privacy of directors by allowing them to be identified on public registers without disclosing personal information such as date of birth, full name, or residential address.
Do I need a director ID?
From November 2021, you will need a director ID if you are a Registered Officer, being a person who is appointed Director or Alternate Director of an Australian entity including:
- any Company which includes a company acting only as a Trustee
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporation (director under the CATSI Act)
- Charity or not-for-profit organisation that is a company
- Registered Australian body or Foreign Company (ARBN).
Company Secretaries do not need a Director ID.
When do I need to have my director ID by?
If you are a director acting for a company registered under the Corporations Act 2001:
| Date you become a director | Must have a director ID by |
| On or before 31 October 2021 | 30 November 2022 |
| 1 November 2021 – 4 April 2022 | Within 28 days of appointment as director |
| 5 April 2022 | Before appointment |
If you ae a director acting for a company under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006:
| Date you become a director | Must have a director ID by |
| On or before 31 October 2022 | 30 November 2023 |
| From 1 November 2022 | Before appointment |
How do I apply?
Australian residents
If you have a MyGovID, the easiest and fastest way to apply is online, otherwise you can apply by phone (https://www.abrs.gov.au/contact-us) or using a downloadable form (https://www.abrs.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/Application_for_a_director_identification_number.pdf).
You will need to some information that the ATO knows about you when you are applying, regardless of the option you choose, including:
- your tax file number
- your residential address as held by the ATO
- Information from two further documents to verify your identify, for example bank account details or ATO notice of assessment.
Foreign Resident Directors
If you are a foreign resident director you may be able to apply using an Australian MyGovID, if you do not have a MyGovID, you will be required to apply using the downloadable form and provide certified copies of your identity documents (https://www.abrs.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/Application_for_a_director_identification_number.pdf).
Can Vivid Partners do the Application to get me a director ID number?
Sadly, we are unable to apply for the director ID on your behalf. You must apply for the director ID yourself because as part of the process, the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) must personally verify your identity.
For more information on your options to apply for your director ID you can visit https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/about-director-id.
Please feel free to contact your trusted advisor at Vivid Partners about how the government’s Economic stimulus package will affect you.
Vivid Partners
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