About director ID

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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 to create a fairer business environment.

How director ID works

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A director ID is a 15-digit identifier given to a director (or someone who intends to become a director) who has verified their identity with us.

A director ID:

  • starts with 036, which is the 3-digit country code for Australia under International Standard ISO 3166
  • ends with an 11-digit number and one ‘check’ digit for error detection.

Directors need to apply for their own director ID. It’s free to apply.

Directors will only ever have one director ID. They'll keep it forever even if they:

  • change companies
  • stop being a director
  • change their name move interstate or overseas.

Why you need a director ID

By law, all directors must verify their identity with us before receiving a director ID. This is important to:

  • prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities
  • help external administrators and regulators 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 have a competitive disadvantage
  • the community misses out on revenue that could have contributed to community services.

We will take a reasonable approach to directors who are trying to do the right thing. ASIC is responsible for enforcing director ID offences set out in the Corporations Act 2001, which include failing to obtain a director ID when required.

Under law, some company information is publicly available on the ASIC, ACNC and ORIC website. This can include the names and certain details of the directors of a company. Other information can also be provided, including:

  • eligible officers (such as directors, secretaries, and public officers)
  • shareholders
  • creditors
  • external administrators.
     
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Next steps

Who needs to apply and when

All directors need to apply for their own director ID and will keep it forever. When you need to apply depends on when you become a director.

Apply for your director ID

The fastest way to get a director ID is to apply online with the myGovID app. It’s free and you only need to apply once.