ato logo
Search Suggestion:

Director ID - Time is running out

Last updated 20 October 2022

Time is running out for directors of companies in Australia to apply for their director identification numberExternal Link (director ID), with the 30 November deadline less than a month away.

A director ID is required for the director or alternate director of:

  • a company, registered Australian body, or registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act)
  • an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act).

To check if a director ID is required you can search ABN LookupExternal Link with ABN or business name. If ASIC Registration - ACN or ARBN or ARSN or ARFN is showing against the record, the director of the company will need to apply for a director ID. 

Directors under the CATSI Act have a different timeframe in which to apply.

All CATSI Act directors can apply for a director ID now and must apply by 30 November 2023. New directors must apply for their director ID prior to appointment from 1 November 2022.

To apply

The fastest way to applyExternal Link for a director ID is online, using the myGovID app to log in to ABRS online. It’s free to apply and directors must apply themselves to verify their identity. A myGovID with at least a Standard identity strength is required.

In addition to your myGovID, directors will also need:

  • tax file number (TFN)
  • residential address as held by the ATO
  • information from 2 documents to verify identity.

Examples of the documentsExternal Link that can be used include:

  • bank account details
  • an ATO notice of assessment
  • APRA fund account details
  • a dividend statement
  • a Centrelink payment summary
  • a PAYG payment summary (this is different from an income statement or PAYG instalment activity statement).

Our director ID demonstration videoExternal Link goes through the steps needed to apply for a director ID online.

QC70705