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Director ID scenarios

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If you want to become a director or you’re already one, you'll need a director ID.

The below scenarios show when to apply.

Scenario 1: Louise, existing director

Louise has been a director of a registered company for many years. She has applied for and received her director ID.

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

If you're a director under the:

  • Corporations Act 2001 – there is no requirement to provide your director ID to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
  • Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act  2006 (CATSI Act) – you’re required by law to provide your director ID number to your corporation record-holder (or corporations if you're a director of more than one) within 14 days of getting your director ID. This might be your corporation secretary, another director, a contact person or an authorised agent of the corporation.
     

Scenario 2: Yasu, intending director under the Corporations Act

Yasu is planning to become a director for the first time and be appointed to an entity registered under the Corporations Act in the next 6 months.

Yasu must apply for a director ID before his appointment. To prepare, he applies for a director ID. He can apply up to 12 months before becoming a director.

Scenario 3: Jarrah, intending director

Jarrah expects to become a director of an entity registered under the CATSI Act. He must apply for his director ID before his appointment. He can apply up to 12 months before becoming a director.

Scenario 4: Sarah, becoming a director of another company

Sarah is a director and expects to become a director of another company, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, in the next 3 months. When this happens, she doesn’t need to apply for another director ID because she already has one.

Directors only need one director ID which they keep forever, even if they become a director of other companies or corporations.
 

Scenario 5: Shiro, existing director who has changed his details

Shiro is a director who has a director ID. He has moved house and needs to update his details.

Shiro can use his myID with a Standard identity strength to log in to ABRS online and update his address details.

If Shiro doesn’t have a myID and would like to find out his director ID number or update his personal details, he can phone us. If Shiro can’t phone us or update his details online, he can use the Update your personal details (NAT 75330-10.2021, PDF 344KB) form.
 

Scenario 6: Marge, newly appointed director without notice

Marge was elected director of her local bowls club at the annual general meeting. She didn’t know she would be appointed, so she didn’t apply for a director ID in advance. This means she now has a director ID obligation.

Marge needs to apply for a director ID as soon as possible. If she needs more time to apply, she can complete an Application for an extension of time to apply for a director ID (NAT 75390-10.2021, PDF 272KB) form. This application should be completed before Marge applies for her director ID.
 

Scenario 7: Edward, a non-resident director living outside Australia

Edward was born in and resides in the United Kingdom. He’s a director of a foreign company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 and therefore will be required to apply for a director ID.

Edward does not have Australian identification documents and will need to complete an Application for a director identification number – for people living outside Australia (NAT 75433-10.2022, PDF 240KB) form.

Edward must provide certified copies of his UK identification documents. He can use the following options to certify his identity documents outside Australia: 

  • Visit or post his identity documents to his nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate, (including consulates headed by Austrade Honorary Consuls). [1]
  • Alternatively, Edward can use a public notary by way of an apostille or a component authority to certify his identity documents. Edward checks to see if his country is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.

If Edward has certified his identity documents by way of an apostille, he needs to attach the apostille certification and send them with his director identification number application form. 

If Edward’s identity documents are in a language other than English, he must translate them into English by an approved translation service and certified as a true and correct copy. [2]

If Edward requires additional time to prepare his identification documents for his director ID application, he can lodge an Application for an extension of time to apply for a director ID (NAT 75390-10.2021, PDF 272KB) form. This form can only be posted for non-resident directors and should be completed before Edward applies for his director ID.

Note: 

  1. Check with the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate regarding certification of documents by mail or if an in-person visit is required. For a list of Australian embassies, high commissions, and consulates by country, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
  2. Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website to find your nearest Australian embassy, high commission, or consulate to contact an approved translator in your country.
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