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Director identification number – English

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ABRS is responsible for the director identification number (director ID) program. If you are a director or plan to become one, you need a director ID.

View this page in other languages.

What is a director ID?

A director ID is a 15-digit personal reference number. It is given to a director or someone planning to become a director after they have verified their identity with us.

You must apply for your own director ID. You will only need to apply once. You keep your director ID forever, even if you:

  • change companies
  • change your name
  • move interstate or overseas.

Director IDs will help prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities.

Who needs to apply and when?

You need a director ID if you are a director, or will become a director, of either:

  • 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).

Corporate trustees of self-managed super funds must also apply for a director ID.

To find out more, see Who needs a director ID (in English).

You must apply for your director ID now if you:

  • are already a director
  • plan to become a director in the next 12 months.

If you need more time to apply for your director ID, you need to complete an Application for an extension of time to apply for a director ID (NAT 75390, PDF 271KB) (in English). If you need help completing the form, contact us (in English) for assistance.

How to apply for your director ID

You must apply for your own director ID so you can prove your identity. No one can apply for you.

It's free to apply.

If you have Australian identity documents, the fastest way to receive your director ID is to apply online as follows.

Step 1 – Set up a Digital ID

You will need a Digital ID, such as myID with at least a Standard identity strength.

If you live in Australia, and:

  • already have a myID, go to Step 2
  • don’t have a myID, you will need to set one up. See How to set up myID (in English)
  • can only get a myID with a Basic identity strength, you can apply for your director ID by phone or with a paper form. See Apply for your director ID (in English).

Step 2 – Get your identity documents ready

We will ask you questions so we can verify your identity and link your myID to your Australian Taxation Office (ATO) record.

When you apply, you will need:

  • your tax file number (TFN)
  • your residential address as recorded by the ATO
  • information from 2 documents to verify your identity.

See Verify your identity (in English) to find out about:

  • examples of the documents you can use to verify your identity
  • information you will need to provide from those documents
  • identity documents that you will need to provide certified copies of if you are applying using the paper form.

Step 3 – Complete your application

If you have your myID and your identity documents, log in to ABRS online:

Commonwealth Coat of ArmsContinue with Digital ID

Digital ID is a safe, secure and convenient way to prove and reuse your ID online.

When you complete your application, your director ID will display on your screen.

Other options for directors living in Australia

Apply by phone

If you currently live in Australia and can't apply online, phone us (in English) to apply for a director ID.

When you apply by phone, you’ll be asked to verify your identity. We will ask you questions based on information we have about you, including information from third parties and other government departments. For more information, see Establish your identity (in English).

Apply with a paper form

If you can’t apply online or by phone, you can use a paper application form. Download Application for a director identification number – for people living in Australia (NAT 75437, PDF, 230KB) (in English).

If you need help completing the form or need support, contact us (in English).

Directors living outside Australia

If you live outside Australia and can only get a myID with a Basic identity strength, you will need to complete an Application for a director identification number (NAT 75433, PDF 651KB) (in English).

You will need to provide certified copies of your identity documents. For more information, see Verify your identity (in English).

How to check if you’ve been appointed a director without your consent

If you think you’ve been appointed as a director of a company without your consent, you can lodge an online enquiry form at ASIC’s advice on non-consenting officeholder appointments (in English).

Select the following options:

  • My question is about a Company
  • I would like to know how to Maintain information

You will need to provide:

  • your personal details
  • the Australian company number (ACN)
  • the company name
  • a summary of the circumstances explaining that you did not consent to being appointed as a director of that entity.

Your enquiry will be investigated by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) and you will be provided with an outcome.

What to do with your director ID

Once you have received your director ID, store it securely in your company records or software system.

If you have a myID with Standard identity strength or higher, you can log in to ABRS online to view your director ID or update your details anytime.

View or update your details

If you applied online and have a myID

If you have a myID with at least a Standard identity strength, you can log in to ABRS online. Once you log in, you can:

  • view your director ID, including its status
    • (your director ID number is shown in the top‑right corner of the Home screen)
  • update your personal details, by selecting View person details
  • download a PDF copy of your director ID details, using the Download director ID button under your director ID number.

If you applied by phone or paper and have a myGov account

If you applied for your director ID by phone or paper and you have a myGov account linked to the ATO, your director ID notification is delivered to your myGov Inbox.

To find your director ID notification:

  1. Sign in to your myGov account
  2. Select Inbox
  3. Use the Search bar or scroll through your messages to find your director ID notification
  4. Open the message, and your director ID will appear in the top‑right corner.

If you applied by phone or paper and do not have a myGov account

If you applied for your director ID by phone or paper form and do not have a myGov account, your director ID notification is sent by post to the postal address you provided at the time of your application.

This letter includes your director ID number and should be kept for your records.

If you no longer have this letter or need another copy, you can contact us to request a copy of your director ID notification.

If you can’t update your details online or by phone, you can use the paper form. Download Update your personal details (NAT 75330, PDF 343KB).

Contact us

Phone us

You can phone us between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday.

  • If you are in Australia, phone 13 62 50.
  • If you are overseas, phone +61 2 6216 3440.
  • Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) – You can speak to us in your preferred language by phoning TIS National on 13 14 50 between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm Monday to Friday. If you are calling from overseas, phone +61 3 9268 8332. The service will then call us with an interpreter, so we can help with your query.
  • Call-back line – If we contact you by letter, email or phone, we may provide our call-back number and a PIN. Phone the number then, when asked, enter the PIN we gave you. This will make sure you’re connected with the right customer service representative.
    • Call-back number within Australia 1300 306 275.
    • Call-back number outside Australia +61 2 6216 3442 and ask to be connected to 1300 306 275.

Questions we may ask you

Before we can discuss your details or update your records, you must prove your identity.

We will ask you questions based on your tax information, including information from third parties and other government departments.

This may include details from ATO letters or notices that have been issued to you, details from a tax return, or other information that will help us verify your identity.

Write to us

You can write to us at:

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS REGISTRY SERVICES
LOCKED BAG 6000
ALBURY  NSW  2640
AUSTRALIA

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