Corporations Act 2001
[ CCH Note: Pt 9.1A will be inserted by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 2[11] (effective 22 June 2022 or a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation). Pt 9.1A will read:
PART 9.1A - DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
SECTION 1272 GIVING AND CANCELLING DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
1272(1)
The Registrar must, by notifying a person who has applied under section 1272A , give the person a director identification number if the Registrar is satisfied that the person ' s identity has been established.[ CCH Note: S 1272(1A) will be inserted by No 141 of 2020, s 3, Sch 4[123] (effective on the later of: (a) 18 December 2020; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2020 .). S 1272(1A) will read:
1272(1A)
The Registrar may make a request of the person under subsection (5) for the purposes of satisfying the Registrar that the person ' s identity has been established.]
1272(2)
The Registrar must make a record of the person ' s director identification number.
1272(3)
The Registrar may, by notifying a person, cancel the person ' s director identification number if:
(a) the Registrar is no longer satisfied that the person ' s identity has been established; or
(b) the Registrar has given the person another director identification number.
1272(4)
If:
(a) at the time the person is given a director identification number under this section, the person is not an eligible officer; and
(b) the person does not, within 12 months after that time, become an eligible officer;the person ' s director identification number is taken to have been cancelled at the end of the 12 month period.
SECTION 1272A APPLYING FOR A DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER[ CCH Note: S 1272(5) will be inserted by No 141 of 2020, s 3, Sch 4[124] (effective on the later of: (a) 18 December 2020; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2020 .). S 1272(5) will read:
1272(5)
The Registrar may request, but not compel, the person:
(a) if the person has a tax file number - to give the Registrar a written statement of the person ' s tax file number; or
(b) if the person does not have a tax file number:
(i) to apply to the Commissioner of Taxation for a tax file number; and
(ii) to give the Registrar a written statement of the person ' s tax file number after the Commissioner of Taxation has issued it.]
1272A(1)
An eligible officer may apply to the Registrar for a director identification number if the officer does not already have a director identification number.
1272A(2)
The Registrar may direct an eligible officer to apply to the Registrar for a director identification number (whether or not the officer already has a director identification number).
1272A(3)
A person who is not an eligible officer may apply to the Registrar for a director identification number if:
(a) the person intends to become an eligible officer within 12 months after applying; and
(b) the person does not already have a director identification number.
1272A(4)
An application for a director identification number must meet any requirements of the data standards.Note: A person may commit an offence if the person knowingly gives false or misleading information (see section 1308 of this Act and section 137.1 of the Criminal Code ).
SECTION 1272B ELIGIBLE OFFICERS
1272B(1)
An eligible officer is:
(a) a director of a company, or of a body corporate that is a registered Australian body or registered foreign company, who:
(i) is appointed to the position of a director; or
(ii) is appointed to the position of an alternate director and is acting in that capacity;regardless of the name that is given to that position; or
(b) any other officer of a company, or of a body corporate that is a registered Australian body or registered foreign company, who is an officer of a kind prescribed by the regulations;but does not include a person covered by a determination under subsection (2) or (3).
1272B(2)
The Registrar may determine that a particular person is not an eligible officer . The Registrar must notify the person of the determination.
1272B(3)
The Registrar may, by legislative instrument, determine that a class of persons are not eligible officers . SECTION 1272C REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
1272C(1)
An eligible officer must have a director identification number.
1272C(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply if:
(a) the officer applied to the Registrar under section 1272A for a director identification number:
(i) before the day the officer first became an eligible officer (or an eligible officer within the meaning of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 ); or
(ii) if the regulations specify an application period - within that period, starting at the start of that day; or
(iii) within the longer period (if any) the Registrar allows under section 1272E , starting at the start of that day; and
(b) the application, and any reviews arising out of it, have not been finally determined or otherwise disposed of.Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code .
1272C(3)
Subsection (1) does not apply if the officer became an eligible officer without the officer ' s knowledge.Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code .
1272C(4)
An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.Note: For strict liability , see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .
1272C(5)
A person who contravenes, or is involved in a contravention of, subsection (1) contravenes this subsection.Note 1: Subsection (5) is a civil penalty provision (see section 1317E ).
Note 2: Section 79 defines involved .
SECTION 1272D REQUIREMENT TO APPLY FOR A DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
1272D(1)
An eligible officer whom the Registrar has directed under subsection 1272A(2) to apply for a director identification number must apply to the Registrar under section 1272A for a director identification number:
(a) within the application period under subsection (2) of this section; or
(b) within such longer period as the Registrar allows under section 1272E .
1272D(2)
The application period is the period of:
(a) the number of days specified in the direction; or
(b) if the number of days is not specified in the direction - 28 days;after the day the Registrar gives the direction.
1272D(3)
An offence based on subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.Note: For strict liability , see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .
1272D(4)
A person who contravenes, or is involved in a contravention of, subsection (1) contravenes this subsection.Note 1: Subsection (3) is a civil penalty provision (see section 1317E ).
Note 2: Section 79 defines involved .
SECTION 1272E REGISTRAR MAY EXTEND APPLICATION PERIODS
1272E(1)
The Registrar may, on the application of an eligible officer, allow, as a longer period for applying to the Registrar under section 1272A for a director identification number:
(a) the period specified in the application; or
(b) such other period as the Registrar considers reasonable.Note: An application for an extension of the period for applying can be made, and the period can be extended, after the period has ended: see section 70 .
1272E(2)
The Registrar may, by legislative instrument, allow, for persons included in a specified class of persons, a longer period for applying to the Registrar under section 1272A for a director identification number. SECTION 1272F INFRINGEMENT NOTICES
1272F(1)
Subsections 1272C(1) and 1272D(1) are subject to an infringement notice under Part 5 of the Regulatory Powers Act.Note: Part 5 of the Regulatory Powers Act creates a framework for using infringement notices in relation to provisions.
Infringement officer
1272F(2)
For the purposes of Part 5 of the Regulatory Powers Act, each member of the staff of the Registrar who holds, or is acting in, an office or position that is equivalent to an SES employee is an infringement officer in relation to subsections 1272C(1) and 1272D(1) of this Act. Relevant chief executive
1272F(3)
For the purposes of Part 5 of the Regulatory Powers Act, the relevant chief executive in relation to subsections 1272C(1) and 1272D(1) of this Act is:
(a) the person specified as the relevant chief executive in the Registrar ' s instrument of appointment under section 1270 ; or
(b) if there is no person specified - the Registrar. Matters to be included in an infringement notice
1272F(4)
Subparagraph 104(1)(e)(iii) of the Regulatory Powers Act applies to an infringement notice relating to a contravention of subsection 1272C(1) or 1272D(1) of this Act as if that subparagraph did not require the notice to give details of the place of the contravention. SECTION 1272G APPLYING FOR ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
1272G(1)
A person must not apply for a director identification number if the person knows that the person already has a director identification number.Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence: see subsection 1311(1) .
1272G(2)
Subsection (1) does not apply if the Registrar directed the person under subsection 1272A(2) to make the application.Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code .
1272G(3)
Subsection (1) does not apply if the person purports to make the application only in relation to Part 6-7A of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 .Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3): see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code .
1272G(4)
A person who contravenes, or is involved in a contravention of, subsection (1) contravenes this subsection.Note 1: Subsection (4) is a civil penalty provision (see section 1317E ).
Note 2: Section 79 defines involved .
SECTION 1272H MISREPRESENTING DIRECTOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
1272H(1)
A person must not intentionally represent to a Commonwealth body, company or registered body, as the director identification number of the person or another person, a number that is not that director identification number.Note: Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence: see subsection 1311(1) .
1272H(2)
A person who contravenes, or is involved in a contravention of, subsection (1) contravenes this subsection.Note 1: Subsection (2) is a civil penalty provision (see section 1317E ).
Note 2: Section 79 defines involved .]
A person commits an offence if:
(a) a document:
(i) is required under or for the purposes of this Act; or
(ii) is lodged with or submitted to ASIC; and
(b) the person:
(i) makes, or authorises the making of, a statement in the document; or
(ii) omits, or authorises the omission of, a matter or thing from the document; and
(c) the person knows that the document is materially false or misleading because of the statement or omission.
Note: For when a document is materially false or misleading , see subsection (6).
[ CCH Note: S 1308(1) will be amended by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 1[1261], by inserting " or the Registrar " after " ASIC " in para (a)(ii) (effective the later of: (a) immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 3 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Regulators No. 1) Act 2019 . However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur).]
A person is not liable to be proceeded against for an offence in consequence of a regulation made under section 1364 as well as for an offence against subsection (1) of this section.
[ CCH Note: S 1308(2) will be amended by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 1[1259], by inserting " or the Registrar " after " ASIC " , (effective at the same time as the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2. However, the provisions do not commence at all if Schedule 3 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Regulators No. 1) Act 2019 commences before or on the same day as the provisions covered by table item 2).]
A person commits an offence of strict liability if:
(a) a document:
(i) is required under or for the purposes of this Act; or
(ii) is lodged with or submitted to ASIC; and
(b) the person:
(i) makes, or authorises the making of, a statement in the document; or
(ii) omits, or authorises the omission of, a matter or thing from the document; and
(c) the document is materially false or misleading because of the statement or omission; and
(d) the person did not take all reasonable steps to ensure that the document was not materially false or misleading because of the statement or omission.
Note 1: For when a document is materially false or misleading , see subsection (6).
Note 2: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .
[ CCH Note: S 1308(3) will be amended by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 1[1261], by inserting " or the Registrar " after " ASIC " in para (a)(ii) (effective the later of: (a) immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 3 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Regulators No. 1) Act 2019 . However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur).]
A person contravenes this subsection if:
(a) a document:
(i) is required under or for the purposes of this Act; or
(ii) is lodged with or submitted to ASIC; and
(b) the person:
(i) makes, or authorises the making of, a statement in the document; or
(ii) omits, or authorises the omission of, a matter or thing from the document; and
(c) the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the document is materially false or misleading because of the statement or omission.
Note 1: For when a document is materially false or misleading , see subsection (6).
Note 2: This subsection is a civil penalty provision (see section 1317E ).
[ CCH Note 1: S 1308(4) will be amended by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 1[1260], by inserting " with ASIC or the Registrar " after " lodged " , (effective at the same time as the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2. However, the provisions do not commence at all if Schedule 3 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Regulators No. 1) Act 2019 commences before or on the same day as the provisions covered by table item 2).]
[ CCH Note 2: S 1308(4) will be amended by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 1[1261], by inserting " or the Registrar " after " ASIC " in para (a)(ii) (effective the later of: (a) immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 3 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Regulators No. 1) Act 2019 . However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur).]
A person contravenes this subsection if:
(a) a document:
(i) is required under or for the purposes of this Act; or
(ii) is lodged with or submitted to ASIC; and
(b) the person:
(i) makes, or authorises the making of, a statement in a document; or
(ii) omits, or authorises the omission of, a matter or thing from a document; and
(c) the document is materially false or misleading because of the statement or omission; and
(d) the person did not take all reasonable steps to ensure that the document was not materially false or misleading because of the statement or omission.
Note 1: For when a document is materially false or misleading , see subsection (6).
Note 2: This subsection is a civil penalty provision (see section 1317E ).
[ CCH Note: S 1308(5) will be amended by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 1[1261], by inserting " or the Registrar " after " ASIC " in para (a)(ii) (effective the later of: (a) immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 3 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Regulators No. 1) Act 2019 . However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur).]
For the purposes of this section, a document is materially false or misleading if:
(a) the document includes a statement that:
(i) is false in a material particular or materially misleading; or
(ii) is based on information that is false in a material particular or materially misleading, or has omitted from it a matter or thing the omission of which renders the document materially misleading; or
(b) a matter or thing is omitted from the document and, without the matter or thing, the document is false in a material particular or materially misleading.
[ CCH Note: S 1308(6) will be amended by No 69 of 2020, s 3, Sch 1[1260], by inserting " with ASIC or the Registrar " after " lodged " , (effective at the same time as the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 2. However, the provisions do not commence at all if Schedule 3 to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Regulators No. 1) Act 2019 commences before or on the same day as the provisions covered by table item 2).]
For the purposes of this section, a person who votes in favour of a resolution approving, or who otherwise approves, a document is taken to have authorised:
(a) the making of any statement in the document; and
(b) the omission of any matter or thing from the document. 1308(8)
For the purposes of this section, a statement, report or other document that:
(a) relates to affairs of a company or of a subsidiary of a company; and
(b) is attached to or included with a report of the directors provided under section 314 to members of the company or laid before the company at an annual general meeting of the company;
is taken to be part of the report referred to in paragraph (b) of this subsection, even if it is not otherwise required by this Act to be laid before the company in general meeting.
1308(9)For the purposes of this section:
(a) a notice under subsection 708AA(2) , 708A(5) , 1012DAA(2) or 1012DA(5) is taken to be a notice required for the purposes of this Act; and
(b) a notice under subsection 708AA(2) , 708A(5) , 1012DAA(2) or 1012DA(5) is taken to be misleading in a material respect if it fails to comply with paragraph 708AA(7)(d) , 708A(6)(e) , 1012DAA(7)(e) or 1012DA(6)(f) .
This information is provided by CCH Australia Limited Link opens in new window. View the disclaimer and notice of copyright.