Director ID numbers now required

Director ID numbers are now required to be obtained by all company directors as stipulated by the Federal Government. In order to comply with this requirement, please follow the steps we have outlined below to obtain your Director ID and advise us of your director identification number (DIN) once you have received it.

What is it?
A director ID is a 15-digit unique identifier for company directors. Once you have applied for it, you will keep that number forever, much like your tax file number. This is intended to prevent any fraudulent director identities.

Who needs it?
If you are a director of any of the following, you will require a director ID.

• Company
• Corporate trustee of a Self-Managed Superannuation Fund
• Registered Australian body
• Registered foreign company
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.

When do I need to apply?
The director ID regime officially came into effect on Monday 1 November 2021, however the date you must apply depends on the date you become a director, as per below.

Please note: if you are an existing Director of a company and you are establishing an additional company – you will need to obtain your Director ID from 5 April 2022 on or before establishing the new company.

How do I apply?
Please visit the Australian Business Registry Services website for step by step instructions on how to apply, or you can follow our detailed steps below. Unfortunately, we do not have the authority to apply on your behalf however we can guide you through the process.

Step 1. Set up a myGovID (if you already have a myGovID you can skip this step)
If you are unable to obtain a myGovID you can call 13 62 50 or visit “how to apply if you can’t get a myGovID.”

You will need a myGovID to start the process. Please note myGovID is different to MyGov.

For a full explanation – here’s something we prepared earlier: Government online services explained.

Here are the instructions on how to set up a myGovID. Spoiler alert, before you get started you will need:

• A smart device
• An email address
• To be 15 years or older
• Documents to verify your identity (such as a passport, drivers’ licence or Medicare card)

Step 2. Gather your documents
Once you have your MyGovID, you will need to provide a different set of information to verify your identity and match up with ATO records.

You will need:

• your tax file number (TFN)
• your residential address as held by the ATO
• information from two of the below documents to verify your identity. We suggest locating three of these documents before you start in case the ATO has any issues finding a match.
• bank account details
• an ATO notice of assessment
• super account details
• a dividend statement
• a Centrelink payment summary
• a PAYG payment summary (this is different to your income statement, and/or your PAYG instalment activity statement).

Step 3. Apply for your Director ID with your myGovID

Login to apply for your Director ID online. You can do so here: abrs.gov.au

Open your myGovID app on your phone/device and enter/accept the authentication codes to sign in.

Follow the steps to provide “proof of record ownership.” This basically means matching up the information you have entered to ensure it matches with the ATO.

Continue through the steps to confirm your record ownership. Once your ATO record has been verified, click “continue” to apply for your director identification number.

Fill out all required personal details, then review and submit.

Step 4. Record your director identification number and please provide it to us. As we act as authorised agents for your company(ies) you will need to advise us of your director identification number (DIN) once you have received it. Please be mindful of your own privacy considerations when advising us of your DIN.

You will be provided with your director identification number as per below.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.