If you are currently a director of a company you need to apply for your own director ID. The fastest way to do this is online using the myGovID app (note this different to a MyGov login).
A director identification number (director ID) is a unique identifier you will keep forever. It will help to prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities.
Directors will only ever have one director ID. They'll keep it forever even if they:
change companies change companies
stop being a director stop being a director
change their name
move interstate or overseas.
Why do you need a Director ID?
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 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.
Who needs a Director ID?
You need a director ID if you’re an eligible officer of:
a company, a registered Australian body or a 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).
An eligible officer is a person who is appointed as:
a director
an alternate director who is acting in that capacity.
You must apply for your own director ID to verify your identity. No one can apply on your behalf.
When you need to apply
When you must apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director.
If you became a director on our before 31 October 2021, you must apply for a Director ID by 30 November 2022.
If you become a director between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022, the application for Director ID must be made within 28 days of appointment.
From 5 April 2022 you are required to submit an application for Director ID before appointment.
To be a director under the Corporations Act, you must:
be an individual who is at least 18 years old
not be disqualified from managing corporations, unless the appointment is made with the permission of ASIC or the Court.
Meeting your obligations
If you can’t apply by the date you need to, you can complete an Application of an extension of time to apply for a director ID. To submit this form please click here.
If you don’t meet your obligations:
there may be civil or criminal penalties
you may be issued with an infringement notice.
Apply for your Director ID now
Step 1 – Set up myGovID
You will need a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength to apply for your director ID online. If you live outside Australia and can’t get a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, you will need to apply with a paper form and provide certified copies of your identity documents. If you live in Australia and:
don’t have a myGovID, you can find information on how to download the app at: https://www.mygovid.gov.au/set-up
already have a myGovID, you can apply for your director ID now.
myGovID is different from myGov
myGovID is an app. You download the myGovID app to your smart device. It lets you prove who you are and log in to a range of government online services, including myGov.
myGov is an account. Your myGov account lets you link to and access online services provided by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Centrelink, Medicare and more.
Step 2 – Gather your documents
You will need to have some information the ATO knows about you when you apply for your director ID:
your tax file number (TFN)
your residential address as held by the ATO
information from two documents to verify your identity. NOTE depending on the level of previous ATO interaction and the strength of your myGovID verification these documents may not be required.
Examples of the documents you can use to verify your identity include:
bank account details
an ATO notice of assessment
super 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. The application process should take less than 5 minutes. You can apply at the link below on the ABRS website.
Once you have obtained your Director ID, we can store this record on your behalf as a backup if you prefer - if so please forward the confirmation saved
How do I apply for a DIN if I cannot get a myGovID?
If you can't get a myGovID with a standard or strong identity strength, you can apply by phone.
You can apply by phone if you have:
An Australian TFN
The information needed to verify your identity (as listed above)
The phone number is 13 62 50 and is available between 8:00am and 6:00pm Monday to Friday for directors in Australia. For directors calling from overseas, the number is +61 2 6216 3440.
For those who can not meet myGovID requirements or have limited digital access, including foreign directors, you can find additional information on how to apply for your Director ID at:
Please contact our office should you have any queries in relation to the above.