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Apply for your director ID

Last updated
04 May 2022

You need to apply for your own director ID. The fastest way to do this is online using the myGovID app to log in to ABRS online.

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Before you start

You will need a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength to apply for your director ID online. If you:

  • don’t have a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, go to Step 1
  • have a myGovID, go to Step 2
  • can’t get a myGovID and live outside Australia, go to How to apply if you can’t get a myGovID.
Notice

myGovID is different from myGov

  • myGovID is an app. You download the myGovID app to your smart device. It helps you prove who you are and to securely log in to a range of government online services including myGov.
  • myGov is an account. Your myGov account lets you link to and access government online services provided by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Centrelink, Medicare and more.

Step 1 – Set up myGovID

To set up a myGovID, you’ll need at least 2 of the following Australian identity documents that verify your identity:

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

If you:

  • have at least 2 of these documents, download the myGovID app at How to set up myGovID
  • don’t have at least 2 of these documents, go to How to apply if you can’t get a myGovID.

Step 2 – Gather your documents

In addition to your myGovID, to apply online you will need to have some information the ATO knows about you when you apply for your director ID. This information must relate to you, personally, rather than to the company, registered Australian body, or registered foreign company of which you are a director.

You will need:

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

Examples of the documents you can use include:

  • bank account details
  • an ATO notice of assessment
  • super account details
  • a dividend statement
  • a Centrelink payment summary
  • a PAYG payment summary (this is different to your income statement or your PAYG instalment activity statement).

When you have this information go to Step 3.

Step 3 – Complete your application

Select the Apply now button below to log in to ABRS online using your myGovID. The application process should take less than 5 minutes.

Apply now with

We recommend you use Google Chrome or Firefox to complete your application. If you have issues with the application, check for system maintenance and known issues.

How to apply if you can't get a myGovID

If you can’t set up a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, or you don’t have the required Australian identity documents to apply online, how you apply depends on where you currently reside.

Find out how to apply if you:

  • live in Australia
  • live outside of Australia.
Live in Australia

If you currently live in Australia, phone us to apply for a director ID.

To apply by phone, you’ll be asked to verify your identity. You’ll need:

  • your tax file number (TFN) (optional)
  • your residential address as held by the ATO
  • answers to 2 questions based on details we know about you
  • a primary and secondary Australian identity document.
Live outside of Australia

If you currently reside outside Australia, you can apply using a paper application form – Application for a director identification number (NAT 75329, PDF 306KB).

In addition to completing the form, you’ll also need to provide certified copies of your documents that verify your identify. Do not send us the originals as they will not be returned.

If you are having issues using the form, you can find help on our Accessibility page.

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Helpful links

Verify your identity

Before you start your application, it’s a good idea to gather the information you’ll need to verify your identity.

Contact us

If you need help to set up myGovID, or to apply for your director ID, contact us.

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