- A director ID is a mandatory 15-digit identifier for company directors in Australia and must usually be obtained before appointment.
- The application process is free, completed through ABRS, and most online applications are approved immediately when identity checks match ATO records.
- Director IDs help prevent illegal phoenix activity and stay with the individual permanently across every company they direct.
A director ID is a free, permanent 15-digit identifier that every company director in Australia must obtain before being appointed. It is issued by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), takes around 15 minutes to apply online, and you keep it for life across every directorship you hold.
If you are registering a company in Australia, your director ID is not optional. Without one, your company registration cannot be lodged.
This guide covers:
- Who needs a director ID,
- What documents you need,
- How to apply through ABRS, and
- What the penalties are for non-compliance.
Set up your myID and confirm your ATO records are accurate before applying, as mismatched details are one of the most common causes of application delays.
What is a director ID in Australia?
A director identification number, commonly called a director ID, is a unique 15-digit identifier permanently assigned to an individual who is or intends to become a director of a company, registered Australian body, or registered foreign company under Australian law.
It is issued by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS). While ASIC may enforce breaches relating to director ID obligations, applications are made through ABRS.
Three things make a director ID different from other business identifiers:
1. Director ID belongs to the individual, not the company.
Your director ID stays with you regardless of which companies you direct, how many you hold at once, or whether a company is deregistered.
2. It is permanent.
You apply for a director ID once and keep it forever. There is no renewal, no expiry, and no need to reapply if your circumstances change.
3. It is not publicly searchable.
Unlike an ACN or ABN, your director ID is not displayed on the ASIC register and cannot be looked up by third parties.
The primary purpose of the director ID system is to prevent fraudulent director identities and illegal phoenix activity, where directors deliberately wind up companies to avoid debts and immediately reopen under a new entity.
Who needs a director ID in Australia?
You need a director ID if you are an eligible officer of any of the following:
Entity type | Director ID required? |
Company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Pty Ltd, Ltd, NL) | Yes |
Registered Australian body (e.g. incorporated association trading interstate) | Yes |
Registered foreign company | Yes |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under the CATSI Act | Yes |
Sole trader | No |
Partnership | No |
Trust (individual trustee) | No |
Trust with corporate trustee | Yes, for directors of the corporate trustee company |
If your business operates through a company structure, getting your director ID early helps avoid delays, compliance issues and ASIC registration problems.
Do I need a director ID for my business?
If you are a sole trader, partner, or individual trustee of a trust, you do not need a director ID. If you are, or are planning to become, a director of a company registered with ASIC, you do.
You only ever need one director ID, regardless of how many companies you direct. If you are already a director of one company and are being appointed to another, your existing director ID covers both.
When do you need to apply for a director ID?
Your application deadline depends on when you became or will become a company director.
When you became (or become) a director | When you must apply |
Before 1 November 2021 | Deadline was 30 November 2022. If you do not have one, apply immediately. |
Between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 | Within 28 days of your appointment date |
From 5 April 2022 onwards | Before you are appointed. No exceptions. |
For anyone appointed from 5 April 2022 onwards, the rule is strict: you must have your director ID before your appointment is formalised.
- For new companies, this means before your company registration is submitted to ASIC.
- For existing companies, it must be obtained before lodging a director appointment through Form 484.
If you’re setting up a new company, understanding the full registration process can help you avoid delays and compliance issues later on. See our guide on how to start a company in Australia.
What documents do you need for a director ID?
Most director ID application issues happen during identity verification. The ABRS checks your details against existing ATO records, so it’s important your information matches exactly before you begin.
Before starting your application, have the following ready:
- myID set up on your mobile device with Standard or Strong identity strength
- Your Tax File Number (TFN), technically optional, but strongly recommended for faster processing
- Your residential address as recorded with the ATO
You’ll also need two of the following ATO-linked documents
- Bank account details linked to a tax refund or interest income in the last two years
- Superannuation account details from an APRA-regulated fund
- PAYG payment summary issued within the last two years
- Notice of Assessment issued within the last five years
- Dividend statement with your investment reference number
The ATO record matching is strict. If your residential address or other details in the application do not exactly match what the ATO holds, the application will fail at the identity verification step. Check your details on myGov before you start.
Your director ID belongs to you personally, not to any company you direct. If a company you are associated with is deregistered, your director ID remains valid and carries over to any future directorship you take on. You never need to reapply.
Can overseas directors apply for a director ID online?
If you live outside Australia and cannot set up myID, you’ll need to apply using a paper form instead of the online process.
This generally involves:
- Download and complete the paper application form (NAT 75437 for directors living in Australia; NAT 75433 for directors living outside Australia
- Provide certified copies of translated identity documents if they are not in English
- If required, obtain an apostille certification on your documents
- Post the application to ABRS
Paper applications take significantly longer to process than online applications, so overseas directors should apply well before their intended company registration date.
Read more: How to Start a Business as a Foreigner in Australia?
How do you apply for a director ID online?
Applying for a director ID online usually takes around 15 minutes if your documents are ready. The application is free.
Step 1: Set up your myID
Download the myID app (previously myGovID) from the App Store or Google Play and set your identity strength to at least Standard.
To reach Standard identity strength, you’ll typically need two Australian identity documents, such as:
- Driver’s licence and Medicare card
- Passport and driver’s licence
Step 2: Log in to ABRS
Log in to ABRS using your myID credentials. Select “Apply for your director ID” from the available options.
Step 3: Verify your identity
Enter your TFN (optional but recommended), your residential address as held by the ATO, and two of the ATO-linked documents listed in the section above.
This step confirms you are who you say you are before the ID is issued.
Step 4: Confirm your details and submit
Review all details, confirm the declarations, and submit. Your director ID will appear on screen immediately upon approval for most online applications.
Step 5: Record your director ID securely
Secure your 15-digit director ID. You will need to provide it to your company record-holder so it can be recorded internally.
Note that you are not required to provide your director ID to ASIC when lodging company registration or change-of-director notifications under the Corporations Act, ABRS holds this record separately.
What are the penalties for not having a director ID?
ASIC enforces director ID offences under the Corporations Act 2001. It is an offence if you:
- do not apply for a director ID on time
- do not have a director ID when you should
- apply for more than one director ID, or
- misrepresent your director ID
Serious penalties may apply, including fines and imprisonment.
Offense | Legislative section | Maximum penalty for individuals |
Failure to have a director ID when required to do so | s1272C | 60 penalty units |
Failure to apply for a director ID when directed by the Registrar | s1272D | 60 penalty units |
Applying for multiple director IDs | s1272G | 1 year imprisonment |
Misrepresenting director ID | s1272H | 1 year imprisonment |
Learn more about ASIC’s penalties and penalty units.
What should you do after receiving your director ID?
Receiving your director ID does not complete your obligations. Once issued:
1. Provide it to your company record-holder.
For Corporations Act companies, you are not legally required to give your director ID to ASIC, but you must provide it internally to whoever maintains your company’s director records so it can be kept on file.
2. Update your personal details within 7 days.
If anything changes, such as your name or address. The person responsible for maintaining company officeholder records must then notify ASIC within 28 days.
3. Your director ID is not searchable by the public.
It is held by ABRS and is not displayed on the public ASIC register. You do not need to display it on invoices or company documents.
Once your director ID is confirmed and your company is registered, your next obligations include ASIC annual reviews, BAS lodgement, and maintaining your registered office.
Overseas directors cannot use the online application process. They must submit a paper form (NAT 75433), provide certified translated identity documents, and in some cases obtain apostille certification. Paper processing takes significantly longer than online, so overseas directors should apply well before their intended company registration date.
How does Sleek help with director ID and company setup?
Sleek helps Australian founders and overseas entrepreneurs register their company correctly from day one.
- End-to-end company registration support: From local company setup to offshore registrations, Sleek manages the entire process so you can launch your business confidently and compliantly from day one.
- All-inclusive accounting support: Bookkeeping, tax, payroll and ongoing accounting support all managed in one place, supporting your business as it grows.
- Ongoing ASIC compliance: Stay on top of annual reviews, company updates and ASIC obligations with proactive compliance support that helps you avoid missed deadlines and penalties.
- Transparent pricing: Clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees, surprise invoices or unnecessary add-ons, just straightforward support tailored to your business needs.
Whether you are registering your first company or setting up an Australian entity from overseas, Sleek handles it all so you can focus on building your business.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a director ID?
For online applications with a verified myID and complete identity documentation, a director ID is issued immediately on screen after submission. Paper applications for those without myID or based overseas take significantly longer and should be submitted well in advance.
Does a director ID expire?
No. A director ID is permanent. It does not expire, does not need to be renewed, and does not change if you resign from one company and join another. You keep the same 15-digit number for the entire duration of your time as a director of any entity
Do I need a director ID as a sole trader?
No. Director IDs apply only to directors of companies and other ASIC-registered entities. As a sole trader, you have no company structure and no director appointment, so no director ID is required. If you incorporate and become a director of a Pty Ltd company, you will need to apply before your appointment.
