Director Identification Numbers: Guide & All You Need To Know

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.

Why 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 with us 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 will only ever need one director ID. You don’t have to apply for another one if you become a director of other companies or corporations.

You must apply for your own director ID to verify your identity. No one can apply on your behalf.

When you need to apply

You can apply for a director ID now.

If you plan to become a director, you can apply before you’re appointed.

Corporations Act directors

When you must apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director.

• If you became a director on or before 31/10/2021: 30 November 2022

• If you became a director between 01/11/2021 and 04/04/2022: Within 28 days of your appointment

• From 05/04/2022: Before your appointment