Director Identification Numbers are here

4 Nov

Effective as of 1 November 2021, the Government has introduced a new director ID regime. A Director Identification Number, also referred to as DIN or Directors ID, is designed to maintain and streamline businesses information and ensure information is true and trusted.

The new regime is important to:

prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities
make it easier for external administrators and regulators to trace directors’ relationships with companies over time
identify and eliminate director involvement in unlawful activity, such as illegal phoenix activity.

Who will need a Director Identification Number?

From 1 November 2021 all directors, or an alternate director who is acting in that capacity, of the following will need to obtain a DIN:

a company
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
corporate trustee (E.G of a SMSF or Family Trust)
charity or not-for-profit organisation that is a company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
registered Australian body, for example, an incorporated association that is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and trades outside the state or territory in which it is incorporated
foreign company registered with ASIC and carrying on business in Australia (regardless of where you live).

When do you need to apply?

When you must apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director.

CORPORATIONS ACT DIRECTORS

Date you became a Director Date you must apply

On or before 31 October 2021 By 30 November 2022
Between 1 November 2021 and April 2022 Within 28 days of appointment
From 5 April 2022 Before appointment

CATSI ACT DIRECTORS

Date you became a Director Date you must apply

On or before 31 October 2022 By 30 November 2023

After 1 November 2022 Before appointment

How to apply for your Director Identification Number?

As the application for a DIN requires you to verify your identity, all directors must apply for the DIN themselves.

You cannot instruct an authorised agent, such as a tax agent of financial advisor to apply for the DIN on your behalf.

The application is a 3 step quick online process using your myGovID

Step 1 - Set up myGovID

You will need a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength to apply for your director ID online.

Step 2 - Gather your documents

You will need to have some information the ATO knows about you when you apply for your director ID:

your tax file number (TFN)
your residential address as held by the ATO
information from two documents to verify your identity.

Examples of the documents you can use to verify your identity include:

bank account details
an ATO notice of assessment
super account details
a dividend statement
a Centrelink payment summary
PAYG payment summary.

Step 3 - Complete your application

Once you have a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, and information to verify your identity, you can log in and apply for your director ID.

The application process should take less than 5 minutes.

If you are unable to apply through myGovID you can apply over the phone with the above documents. If you live outside Australia and can’t get a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, you will need to apply with a paper form and provide certified copies of your identity documents.

Implications for not meeting your Directors obligations

Your director ID obligations include:

applying for a director ID within the relevant timeframe for your situation
applying for a director ID when directed by the Registrar to do so
not applying for more than one director ID (unless directed by the Registrar to do so)
not misrepresenting your director ID to a Commonwealth body, company, registered Australian body or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation
not being involved in a breach of the above director ID obligations.

If you don’t meet your obligations: