A Director ID is a unique 15-digit identification number that you apply for once and retain permanently, even if you stop being a director, change companies, change your name, move interstate or overseas. It's similar to a Tax File Number (TFN) for individual taxpayers.

To ensure privacy, Director IDs are not be searchable by the public and will not be disclosed without the consent of the Director.

All directors of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation will need a Director ID. This includes directors of a corporate trustee of self-managed super funds (SMSF).

You don't need a director ID if you are running a business as a sole trader or partnership, or you are a director in your job title but have not been appointed as a director under the Corporations Act or Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act (CATSI).

The company secretary or officeholder should keep a register of Director IDs in a secure place – Director IDs are governed by the same privacy rules that apply to TFNs and should not be disclosed unless required.

An existing company director as at 01 November 2021 has until 30 November 2022 to apply. Existing directors (as at 01 November 2021) of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation have until 30 November 2023.

New company directors need to apply for a Director ID before being appointed.

You will need to complete three steps and have several identification documents available and ready.

1. Verify your identity through myGovID

To apply for your Director ID online, you'll need to set up a myGovID. Just to download the app onto your smart device (phone or tablet) and create a myGovID account. 

You’ll need two pieces of ID information (like your drivers license and Medicare number) to set up your myGovID.

Your myGovID does not create your Director ID – myGovID validates your identity to use government online services without going through the verification process each time.

2. Gather your identification documents

After you set up your myGovID, you'll need to have on hand documentation that matches information held by the ATO. If you have a myGov account linked to the ATO, you can find the details on your profile. You will need:

• your Tax File Number
• your residential address held on file by the ATO; and
• two documents that verify your identity, such as:
  • bank account details the ATO has on record – most likely where you’ve received a tax return refund or an account that has earnt interest in the last 2 years.
  • a Dividend Statement Investment Reference Number.
  • a Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the ATO – date of issue and the reference number (on your myGov ATO account, see Tax/lodgements/income tax/history).
  • the gross amount from your PAYG Payment Summary.
  • a Centrelink Payment Summary.
  • superannuation details including your super fund’s ABN and your member account number (you cannot use a self-managed super fund's details).

3. Apply for your Director ID through ABRs

The final step is to apply through the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) for your Director ID – just click the 'Apply now with myGov ID' button to complete your application and use the email you used to create your myGovID.

Once complete, your Director ID will be issued immediately on screen. This information should be provided to your company secretary or office holder.

Applying by phone or using paper forms

You can choose to verify your identity and apply for your Director ID by phone (13 62 50) or on paper, but you will need to have your identification documents available.

If you are applying using the paper form, your identity documentation will need to be certified by an authorised certifier such as a Barrister, Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Declarations etc.

Fact Sheet

Download our free Director Identification Number fact sheet for a printable copy of these instructions to apply for a Director ID Number.