Director ID: how to apply, what happens if you don't, and the first criminal conviction

What is a Director ID?

A Director Identification Number (Director ID, or DIN) is a 15-digit identifier issued by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) to verify the identity of company directors. It's personal to you, permanent, and free.

You apply once. Even if you're a director of multiple companies, you only need one Director ID.

Who needs one?

You need a Director ID if you are (or are about to become) a director of:

• An Australian company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Pty Ltd, Ltd)
• A registered foreign company (with ARBN)
• An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation (under the CATSI Act)

You don't need one if you're a sole trader, partner in an ordinary partnership, or trustee of a trust where the trustee is an individual (not a company).

How to apply via abrs.gov.au

1. Get a myGovID — Standard or Strong identity strength (you can't apply with a Basic-level myGovID)
2. Gather identity documents — TFN, residential address as held by the ATO, plus two of: Medicare card, driver licence, passport, ImmiCard
3. Apply online at abrs.gov.au — takes ~5 minutes once you have everything
4. Get your Director ID — issued immediately on successful verification

Application is free. Don't pay a third party to do it for you.

Apply BEFORE appointment

The legal requirement is that you apply before you are appointed as a director. You cannot become a director without a Director ID.

If you've already accepted a directorship but haven't applied, you're out of compliance. Apply immediately.

What if you missed the deadline?

The transitional deadlines for existing directors have passed (November 2022 for most directors, December 2023 for CATSI directors). ABRS has been contacting directors who haven't applied; persistent non-compliance is referred to ASIC for enforcement.

If you missed the deadline, apply now and don't wait. ABRS may follow up; ASIC has commenced enforcement action.

First criminal conviction (October 2024)

In October 2024, Mr Daniel Hooper was convicted in the Brisbane Magistrates Court and fined approximately $5,000 — the first criminal conviction nationally for failure to obtain a Director ID. Mr Hooper had been a director of multiple companies and ignored repeated requests from ABRS.

This signals that the enforcement era has begun.

Penalties

• Civil penalties up to AUD $1.11 million (5,000 penalty units) for failure to apply
• Criminal penalties up to $13,320 + 12 months imprisonment for serious cases
• Enhanced penalties for applying for multiple Director IDs, misrepresenting your ID, or providing false info
• For CATSI Act directors, penalties up to $200,000

In addition: ASIC can issue conditions on continued operation of companies that have non-compliant directors.

Common scenarios

"I'm about to be appointed and don't have a Director ID."

Apply NOW via abrs.gov.au. Don't formally accept the appointment until issued.

"I've been a director for years, never applied."

Apply immediately. Document your application. Expect ABRS contact.

"I'm a sole trader — do I need one?"

No. Sole traders don't need a Director ID.

"I have an SMSF with a corporate trustee — do I need one?"

Yes. As director of the corporate trustee, you need a Director ID. Individual SMSF trustees do not need one (they're individuals, not directors).

"I'm being appointed to a charity board."

If the charity is a company limited by guarantee (most are), yes — you're a director of a company and need a Director ID. Unincorporated associations don't require one.