Deadline 30 Nov 2022 – Apply for your Director Identification Number

Time is running out for directors of companies in Australia to apply for their director identification number (director ID), with the 30 November deadline drawing near.

To avoid the last-minute rush, please encourage your clients to apply online now. Directors must apply for their own director ID to verify their identity. No one can apply on their behalf.

Tip: Directors can use their Australian passport as one of their documents to increase their myGovID identity strength from Standard to Strong. A Strong identity strength reduces the identity documents required to complete the director ID application.

If you are a director, you will need to apply for this yourself, an accountant or a financial planner cannot do this for you.

How to Apply for a Director ID

1. Set up a MyGovID (if you don’t have an account) – please note this is different to a MyGov account.
   1. You will need two of the following to set up a MyGovID
      1. Driver’s License
      2. Passport
      3. Birth Certificate
      4. Medicare Card
      5. Australian visa
   2. Download the myGovID app
   3. Enter your details
   4. Choose an identity strength – you will need a Standard or Strong identity strength to apply for your Director ID online.
2. Gather your documents for the ABRS (Australian Business Registry Services) website, you will need to have some information the ATO knows about you when you apply for your director ID:
   1. your tax file number (TFN)
   2. your residential address as held by the ATO
   3. information from two documents to verify your identity
   4. bank account details
   5. an ATO notice of assessment
   6. super account details
   7. a dividend statements
   8. a Centrelink payment summary
   9. PAYG payment summary

Complete your identity online by applying for your Director ID via the ABR website www.abrs.gov.au. The application process should take less than 5 minutes.

Alternatively, you can call the ABRS between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday on 13 62 50 and they will be able to complete the application process over the phone with you. Please note you will need your ID on hand.

Please contact our office to advise us of your Director Identification Number so we can keep it on file.

Awareness campaign

On 19 October, Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) launched an awareness campaign to encourage company directors get their director ID before the deadline. The campaign features both widespread communications and targeted outreach to ensure all directors are aware of their obligations.

Mail-out

ABRS will be commencing a mail-out campaign to those identified as directors, who may have difficulty applying for their director ID online. Directors in this situation will be able to apply for their ID through a provided paper application, which will be included in the mail-out. Your director clients may be in contact with you to seek your guidance upon receipt of this letter. If your clients have already applied for a director ID they do not need to do anything else and can ignore the letter.

Background and more information The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is responsible for delivering the director ID service through ABRS, while ASIC is responsible for enforcing related offences. ABRS encouraging all existing directors to apply before the end of the transitional arrangements or where circumstances require to apply for an extension of time. The transitional arrangements for newly appointed directors ended on 5 April 2022 and ABRS has commenced issuing ‘directions to apply’ notices to directors for failing to obtain a director ID where there is suspicion of involvement in illegal activity.