Personal liability for every director
Director ID hub
Every Australian director needs a Director Identification Number before their first appointment. Failure to apply is a strict-liability criminal offence — up to $13,200 + criminal conviction.
The Director Identification Number scheme commenced 1 November 2021. Every director of a registered Australian body or registered foreign company must hold a Director ID before being appointed. The scheme is administered by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), within the ATO.
Applying is free, takes ~5 minutes, and is done via myGovID + an online verification flow. It's a one-off — your Director ID stays with you for life, across all directorships, including resigning + re-appointing.
Failure to apply is a strict-liability criminal offence under s 1272H of the Corporations Act — maximum $13,200 + criminal conviction for individuals. ABRS has begun active enforcement; thousands of late-application infringement notices issued in 2024-2025.
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Regulators
FAQ
Who needs a Director ID?
Every individual director of: a Corporations Act company, an Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander corporation, a registered foreign company carrying on business in Australia. Includes alternate directors, shadow directors and de facto directors. Not required for: partnerships, sole traders, trustees that aren't corporate trustees.
When must I apply?
Before your first appointment as a director. If you're already a director, you should already have one. If you're being appointed for the first time, apply via abrs.gov.au + myGovID before the appointment date.
Is the application free?
Yes — completely free via abrs.gov.au. Do not pay a third party. Scam services charging for 'expedited' applications are not legitimate.
What if I'm already a director without a Director ID?
Apply immediately. ABRS has been issuing infringement notices for late applications since 2023. Each day late doesn't compound — the offence crystallises on first appointment without ID — but ABRS has been actively cleaning up the register and prosecuting.
Do foreign-resident directors need one?
Yes if they're directors of an Australian Corporations Act company or foreign-registered company carrying on business in Australia. ABRS has a phone-application path for residents who can't use myGovID.
Can I lose my Director ID?
No — it's a permanent unique identifier. It moves with you across directorships, resignation + re-appointment, and gaps. Some grounds for cancellation exist (false application) but the default is permanent.
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