Director ID enforcement

Company directors are now required by law to apply for a director identification number (director ID). If you plan to become a director, you must apply for a director ID before you are appointed. If you are already a director and don't have a director ID, you must take immediate action as it is a criminal offence for a director not to apply on time and with heavy penalties for individuals at stake.

A director ID is a unique 15‑digit identifier that a company director applies for once and keeps forever - this will help prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities. Director IDs are administered by the Australian Business Registry Services ('ABRS') and are now being enforced for those who have failed to comply.

If you are a director who fails to apply, actions that may be taken include:

being asked to attend an interview with a delegate of the Registrar to explain why they haven’t obtained one, and / or;
referral to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) to consider investigation and prosecution.

The fastest way to apply is online at abrs.gov.au, and the director ID is usually issued instantly once the application is complete. It is free to apply, and directors must apply themselves, as they are required to verify their identity (it is this "robust identification process" that will help prevent the use of false and fraudulent director identities). If a director is unable to apply online, they can phone the ABRS on 13 62 50. Directors who live outside Australia and can’t apply online or over the phone will need to complete a paper application form.

More information about director IDs, including who must apply, is available on the ABRS website.

Please refer to the related content below for our earlier information that Mazars has published about the DIN:

Should you have any queries, please contact your usual Mazars Advisor or one of our specialists via the form below or on:

Brisbane – Nathanael Lee	Melbourne – Michael Jones	Sydney – Jeremy Mortlock
+61 7 3218 3900	+61 3 9252 0800	+61 2 9922 1166

Published: 26/02/2024

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Director ID enforcement

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