New Director ID Requirement

Update for ASIC Registered Agents

We are letting you know about the director identification number (director ID) requirement that is now available on the new Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) website.

ABRS is a new service, managed by the Australian Taxation Office, that will streamline how you register, view, and maintain your business information with government.

It is part of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program and the first service to be delivered.

A director ID is a unique identifier a director applies for once and keeps forever. It will help prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities.

A person will keep their director ID even if they stop being a company director, change their name or move interstate or overseas. It confirms a director’s identity and will in the future show which companies they’re linked to.

If you are planning on becoming a director or are already a director, they will need to apply for a director ID. ABBS can’t apply on their behalf as the Registrar needs to verify their identity.

When to apply?

The dates for when you need to apply, depends on when you become a director.

The first key date is for you if you become a director between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022. You need to apply within 28 days from your appointment.

If you were a director before 1- November 2021, you need to apply before 30 November 2022.

If ABBS are registering a company or appointing a director for you, as part of our checks, you will need to apply for a director ID up to 12 months before your appointment.

For a full list of key dates, including directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations, see Who needs to apply and when.

What ABBS can do

As a trusted adviser, ABBS can help you understand the new requirement and where you will need to apply.

It’s free to apply and the fastest way to apply is online. The ABRS has other options available for those who can’t apply online. See Apply for your director ID

Your clients will need a myGovlD with a Standard or Strong identity strength to apply for a director ID online. If they don’t have the myGovlD app they can set it up at www.mygovid.gov.au/setup

You will also need to verify information held on your ATO record, such as a Notice of assessment. You may need our assistance with finding this information. Once you have this information, the online application is intuitive and takes less than 5 minutes. You will get your director ID instantly.

You then need to give your director ID to the company secretary and your tax or ASIC agent.

This videos can also assist with how to apply for your director ID.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VP7k4lH6_0

From 5 April 2022 all directors will need a director ID before they are appointed. We will make this part of our checks when registering a company or appointing a director for you.

To find out more about the ABRS, its role in administering delegated ASIC Registry functions and director ID visit www.abrs.gov.au/about-us . You may also receive further notifications from the ABRS to keep you informed on the MBR program.