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Director ID scenarios

Last updated
08 April 2022

Applying for a director ID will depend on the date you become a director.

You can apply for your director ID now if you are a director or intend to become one in the next 12 months.

The below scenarios show when to apply.

Directors of registered companies or bodies

For directors of a company, registered Australian body or registered foreign company, appointed under the Corporations Act 2001, how and when you apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director:

  • before or on 31 October 2021 – apply by 30 November 2022
  • between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 – apply within 28 days of appointment
  • on or after 5 April 2022 – apply before appointment.

Scenario 1: Louise, existing director

Louise has been a director of a registered company for many years. She must apply for a director ID by 30 November 2022.

Once Louise receives her director ID, she keeps it safe until she needs to use it.

She can share it with her:

  • accountant
  • company secretary
  • ASIC registered agent
  • tax professional.

She doesn’t need to provide it to ASIC unless she’s asked to.

Louise’s company won’t be linked to her director ID in ABRS online yet. She doesn’t need to do anything else now. She will be notified if there are any changes that affect her.

Scenario 2: Romi, becoming a director of another company

Romi was a director before 31 October 2021. He must apply for a director ID by 30 November 2022.

Directors only ever need one director ID which they keep forever, even if they are appointed as a director of other companies.

Romi expects to be appointed as a director of another company in early 2022. When this happens, he doesn’t need to apply for another director ID. If he hasn’t already applied for a director ID when appointed as a director of the other company, he still has until 30 November 2022 to apply.

Scenario 3: James, first time director

James first became a director when he was appointed on 1 November 2021.

As he wasn’t a director on or before 31 October 2021, he must apply for a director ID within 28 days of his appointment.

Scenario 4: Shira, used to be a director

Shira was a company director however, on 4 April 2021, when director ID was introduced, she wasn’t a director of any registered companies and did not need to apply for a director ID.

Shira was appointed as a director on 1 November 2021. She must apply for a director ID within 28 days of her new appointment.

Scenario 5: Phil, newly appointed as a director without notice

Phil was elected director of his local leagues club at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 5 April 2022. He didn’t know he would be appointed, so he didn’t apply for a director ID in advance. This means he’s hasn’t met his director ID obligation.

As soon as possible Phil needs to:

  • complete an application for an extension of time to apply for a director ID (NAT75390, PDF, 271KB)
  • apply for a director ID.

If the AGM had been held before 1 November 2021, Phil would have until 30 November 2022 to apply.

If the AGM had been held between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022, Phil would have to apply within 28 days from the date of the AGM.

Directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations

For directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation companies, who are appointed under the Corporations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (CATSI) Act 2006, how and when you apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director:

  • before or on 31 October 2022 – by 30 November 2023
  • from 1 November 2022 – before appointment.

Scenario 1: Kirra, existing director

Kirra was already a director before 31 October 2022. This means she has until 30 November 2023 to apply for her director ID.

Scenario 2: Jarrah, intending director

Jarrah expects to become a director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation after 31 October 2022. He must apply for his director ID before his appointment.

If you intend to become a director

If you intend to become a director in the next 12 months, you can apply for a director ID now. In the event that the director ID is not used within 12 months of applying, the director ID number will be cancelled. You may apply again for a director ID whenever you choose, and you’ll be issued with the same number.

The same director ID is associated with that person forever, even if they are no longer a director, change companies or move interstate or overseas.

Scenario 1: Yasu, intending director

Yasu isn’t currently a director but is planning to be appointed a director in May 2022.

As Yasu wasn’t a director on or before 4 April 2022, Yasu must apply for a director ID before being appointed a director. To be prepared, Yasu applies for a director ID. This can be done up to 12 months before becoming a director.

Scenario 2: Heng, existing director

Heng is likely to be re-elected as a director of her club at the upcoming Annual General Meeting. Because Heng’s club is registered with ASIC and has an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN), Heng will be required to obtain a director ID. She was a director before 31 October 2021, Heng will need to apply for her director ID by 30 November 2022.

Due to her retirement plans, she may not stay on as director for the full term. However, she still needs a director ID for the period she’s on the board.

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