Director Identification Number Deadline Approaching.

Company directors are required by law to apply for a director identification number (director ID).

A director ID is a unique identifier that a director will apply for once and keep forever – which will help prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities.

All directors of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation will need a director ID.

Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) is responsible for delivering the director ID initiative. Visit the ABRS website for more information and to apply.

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 and penalties may apply.

When to apply

When people must apply for their director ID depends on when they first become a director. 

For directors of companies regulated by ASIC and registered under the Corporations Act 2001:

• Intending new directors must apply before being appointed.
• Directors appointed on or before 31 October 2021 have until 30 November 2022 to apply.
• New directors appointed for the first time between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 had 28 days from their appointment to apply.

Directors of companies regulated by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations and registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 have a different time frame in which to apply.

Visit the ABRS website for more information on who needs to apply, when and how.

Source: asic.gov.au