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

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 myID (the Digital ID app that replaced myGovID) — Standard or Strong identity strength (you can't apply with a Basic-strength myID)
2. Gather your details — with a Strong myID, your TFN or your residential address as held by the ATO; with a Standard myID, your ATO-held residential address, your TFN (optional) and details from two documents the ATO can check (for example bank account details the ATO holds, a notice of assessment, APRA super fund details, a dividend statement, a Centrelink or PAYG payment summary)
3. Apply online at abrs.gov.au
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.

Penalties

• Civil penalty up to $1.82M (5,000 penalty units, or 3x the benefit if greater) for not holding a Director ID (Corporations Act s 1272C(5) and s 1317G)
• Criminal offence (strict liability) — a fine of up to $21,840 (60 penalty units) under s 1272C(1)
• Applying for a second Director ID (s 1272G) or misrepresenting a Director ID (s 1272H) carries up to 1 year imprisonment
• For CATSI Act directors: civil penalty up to $200,000 and a criminal fine of up to $9,100 (25 penalty units) under s 308-20

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.