From 1 November 2021 anyone who is a company director will need to verify their identity as part of new director identification (Director ID) requirements.

About director ID

The director ID is a unique identifier like a tax file number, that an individual director applies for once and keeps forever. Your director ID is a 15 digit identifier that will be given to you after your identity has been verified with Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).

This will then be used to identify any individual, in any company that they are a director for.

Because of the proof of identity requirements, each director will need to apply for their own director ID.

Who needs a director ID

You will need a director ID if you are a director of a company, a registered Australian body or a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001, or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006.

You don’t need a director ID if you are a company secretary but not a director.

When you need to apply

You can apply for a director ID from 1 November 2021. The table below outlines the relevant dates for existing and new directors.

How to apply for your director ID

The fastest way to apply for your director ID is online through the ABRS website.

To apply online you will require a myGovID, as well as other identity verification documents. The online application process should take less than 5 minutes.

If you cannot get a myGovID, or are unable to apply online, you will be able to apply by phone or in paper form.

Providing Johnsons MME with your director ID

If Johnsons MME acts as the ASIC registered agent for your company, each director will need to provide us with their unique director ID.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.