Apply for your director ID

Last updated

02 April 2025

You must apply for your own director ID. The fastest way to apply is online.

View this page in other languages or watch Video – How to apply for a director ID.

Before you start

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

Use your myID to log onto ABRS online to apply for your director ID online.

If you:

don’t have a myID with at least a Standard identity strength, go to Step 1 – Set up your Digital ID
have a myID, go to Step 2 – Gather your documents
can't get a myID and/or live outside Australia, see How to apply if you cannot get a Digital ID.

Download a copy of Apply for your director ID online guide PDF (863KB) or HTML accessible version.

Step 1 – Set up your Digital ID

Download the myID app from the App Store or Google Play.
Enter your details.
Choose your identity strength – to access ABRS online you will need at least a Standard identity strength.

You need at least 2 of the following Australian ID documents for a Standard identity strength:

•    passport (current or not more than 3 years expired)
•    driver’s licence or learner’s permit
•    birth certificate
•    citizenship certificate
•    Medicare card
•    visa (using your foreign passport)
•    ImmiCard.

If you don’t have at least 2 of these documents, see How to apply if you cannot get a Digital ID.

Tip: A Strong identity strength allows you to access all participating government online services. For more information on how to set up a Strong myID, visit How to set up myID.

Step 2 – Gather your documents

Once you have your myID, you need some more information to apply for a director ID. This information must relate to you personally, not the company you work for.

If you have a myID with a Strong identity strength, you only need to provide one of the following:

your individual tax file number (TFN)
your residential address as held by the ATO.

If you have a myID with a Standard identity strength, you need to provide:

your individual TFN – optional but it will help speed up the process
your residential address as held by the ATO
information from 2 of the following documents to verify your identity, including:
- bank account details the ATO has on record – most likely where you’ve received a tax return refund in the last 2 years
- an ATO notice of assessment
- Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) super fund account details including super fund's Australian business number (ABN). Note: Self-managed super fund details are not accepted
- a dividend statement
- a Centrelink payment summary
- a PAYG payment summary – this is different to your income statement or your PAYG instalment activity statement.

For more information about the required documents, see Verify your identity – Online application.

Step 3 – Complete your application

We recommend you use a Google Chrome or Firefox web browser to complete your online application.

Log in to ABRS online with your myID to apply online for your director ID:

Continue with Digital ID

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

When you log in, a 4-digit code will display on your browser. Open the myID app separately and enter in the code.

If you have issues with the online application, check for system maintenance.

If you cannot get a Digital ID

If you can’t set up a myID with at least a Standard identity strength, there are other ways to apply. How you apply depends on where you currently live.

Live in Australia

You can apply by phone. We’ll ask you questions based on information we hold about you to verify your identity. This includes information from third parties and other government departments.

For more information, see Establish your identity.

If you don’t have the required identity documents, you'll need to submit:

• a paper application form – Application for a director identification number - for people living in Australia (NAT 75437).

• certified copies of original documents that verify your identity.

Do not send original documents – we can’t return documents sent to us.

If you’re a director of a corporation under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) and are unable to provide all your proof of identity documents, you can use the ABRS director ID – Proof of identity reference form available on the ORIC website along with a paper application to apply.

We will mail your director ID to the postal address listed on your application. There is no need to call regarding the status of your application or lodge again during this time.

If you have issues using the form, see our Accessibility page.

Live outside of Australia

If you’re an Australian resident living overseas, you can apply for a director ID online if you have the required Australian identity documents.

If you can’t apply online, you need to submit:

• a paper application form – Application for a director identification number - for people living outside Australia (NAT 75433).

• certified copies of your documents that verify your identity.

Do not send original documents – we can’t return documents sent to us.

We will mail your director ID to the postal address on your application and or your myGov inbox if you applied online. There is no need to call regarding the status of your application or lodge again during this time.

If you have issues using the form, see our Accessibility page.

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On this page

Off

Apply for your director ID

Before you start

Step 1 – Set up your Digital ID

Step 2 – Gather your documents

Step 3 – Complete your application

If you cannot get a Digital ID

Helpful links

Verify your identity

Top questions when applying for a director ID

Information in other languages