Our Insights

What is 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.

Directors need to apply for their own director ID. It’s free to apply.

Directors will only ever have one director ID that will remain with them, even if they:

• change companies
• stop being a director
• change their name
• move interstate or overseas.

Why is a Director ID required?

Shareholders, employees, creditors, consumers, external administrators and regulators are entitled to know the names and certain details of the directors of a company.

All directors are required by law to verify their identity with the ABRS before receiving a director ID. This is important because it will help to:

• prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities
• make it easier for external administrators and regulators to trace directors’ relationships with companies over time
• identify and eliminate director involvement in unlawful activity, such as illegal phoenix activity.

Illegal phoenix activity is when a company is liquidated, wound up or abandoned to avoid paying its debts. A new company is then started to continue the same business activities without the debt. When this happens:

• employees miss out on wages, superannuation, and entitlements
• suppliers or sub-contractors are left unpaid
• other businesses are put at a competitive disadvantage
• the community misses out on revenue that could have contributed to community services.

Key Dates

Application Process

Step 1 – myGovID

To obtain a Director ID you will need to complete the identification requirements through myGovID.  If you already have a myGovID go to Step 2.

You will need a myGovID with a standard or strong identity strength using two Australian identity documents, such as:

• Driver’s licence or learner’s permit
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Visa (using foreign passport providing still in Australia)
• Citizenship certificate
• ImmiCard
• Medicare card

• Step 2 – Gather the documents required for identificationYou will need to have some information that the ATO knows about at the time of your application.

  You will need to complete a ‘proof of ATO record ownership’ by providing:

  • Your tax file number (TFN)
  • Your residential address (as held by the ATO)
  • Information from two documents to verify your identity

  Information you can use to verify your identity include:

  • Bank account details
  • An ATO notice of assessment
  • Superannuation fund account details
  • A dividend statement
  • A Centrelink payment summary
  • PAYG payment summary

Step 3 – Complete your application

Once you have a myGovID with a standard or strong identity strength, and information to verify your identity, you can log in and apply for your Director ID.

For further information:

https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/apply-director-identification-number

Step 4 – Notify us

Once you have completed your Director ID process, and you have been issued with a Director ID, please contact us.