A director ID is a unique identifier that every company director in Australia must have. You apply for it yourself through Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), it's free, and you keep it forever. If you're about to become a director, you must apply before you're appointed.
The ID exists to stop false or fraudulent director identities: it's only issued once a director has verified who they are. Here's who needs one, how to apply, and what to have ready, from the ABRS pages as they read in October 2026.
Who needs a director ID
You need one if you're a director, or an alternate director acting in that capacity, of:
- a company registered with ASIC under the Corporations Act 2001, including a Pty Ltd;
- a corporate trustee, for example of a self-managed super fund (SMSF);
- a registered Australian body, such as an incorporated association registered with ASIC, like a sporting club that trades outside its state or territory;
- a registered foreign company;
- a charity or not-for-profit that is a company; or
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the CATSI Act.
The SMSF row is the one that surprises people. Plenty of people who'd never call themselves company directors sit on the board of a corporate trustee for their own super fund, and they need a director ID too.
When you must apply
| Your situation | When to apply |
|---|---|
| Planning to become a director | Before you're appointed |
| Already a director without an ID | Now |
| Became a director on or before 31 October 2022 | The transitional deadline was 30 November 2023 |
| Need more time | Apply for an extension (NAT 75390) before you apply for the ID |
ABRS is clear that it's a criminal offence not to apply on time, and ASIC is responsible for enforcing director ID offences. It also says it will take a reasonable approach to directors who are trying to do the right thing.
How to apply online, step by step
- Set up a Digital ID such as myID with at least a Standard identity strength. That needs at least 2 Australian ID documents, such as a passport that's current or not more than 3 years expired.
- Gather information about yourself, not the company: your residential address as held by the ATO, and your tax file number if you want to speed things up.
- With a Standard myID, have details from 2 documents the ATO can match, such as the bank account where you received a tax refund in the last 2 years, an APRA-regulated super fund account (not an SMSF), or a PAYG payment summary.
- Log in to ABRS online with your myID and complete the application.
- Keep your director ID somewhere safe. You'll need it whenever you become a director of another company.
With a Strong myID you only need to give one piece of information, your residential address as held by the ATO. ABRS recommends Google Chrome or Firefox for the online application. If you can't get a Digital ID, or you live outside Australia, ABRS has a separate route to apply.
Rules worth knowing
- You must apply for your own director ID. No one can apply on your behalf, and your tax, BAS or ASIC agent can advise but can't apply for you.
- You only ever need one. You don't apply again when you join another board.
- Don't apply for more than one, and don't misrepresent your director ID to a company or government body.
- To be a director under the Corporations Act you must be at least 18 and not disqualified from managing corporations, unless ASIC or a court permits it.
Not sure if you're a director?
ABRS suggests searching ABN Lookup with your ABN or business name and checking the ASIC registration details, or checking the ASIC companies register for director details. Charities can be checked on the ACNC register, under the People tab. If you think you've been appointed a director without your consent, ABRS has guidance for that too. See my guides to ABN Lookup and how to apply for an ABN if you're setting up a business at the same time.
What a director ID isn't
- It isn't a tax file number or an ABN. It's a separate identifier that proves who you are as a director.
- It isn't tied to one company. It follows you to every board you join.
- It isn't something an agent can obtain for you. Identity verification has to be your own.
- It isn't optional for a corporate trustee's directors, even when the company only exists to run a family super fund.
Because the ID is permanent and personal, treat it like any other identity number: store it securely and give it only to the company or body that needs it for your appointment.
Two similar-looking numbers identify a business, and ABN versus ACN explains which is which.
My verdict
There's no charge for a director ID, and it takes a short session online once your myID is set up, so there's no reason to leave it late. Do it before you register a company or accept a board seat, and if you run an SMSF through a corporate trustee, check you've got one today.
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Once your director ID is sorted, the company application itself is covered in company registration.
Frequently asked questions
Does a director ID cost anything?
No. ABRS says applying for a director ID is free, and you only need to apply once.
Can my accountant apply for my director ID?
No. You must apply for your own director ID to verify your identity. Your tax, BAS or ASIC agent can help you decide if you need one but can't apply for you.
Do SMSF trustees need a director ID?
Yes, if the SMSF has a corporate trustee. Directors of a corporate trustee need a director ID.
Do I need a new director ID for each company?
No. You only ever need one director ID, and you don't apply again when you become a director of another company.
What happens if a director doesn't apply on time?
ABRS says it's a criminal offence not to apply on time, and ASIC enforces director ID offences. You can ask for an extension using form NAT 75390 before applying.
How do I check if I'm a director?
ABRS suggests searching ABN Lookup with your ABN or business name and checking the ASIC registration details, or checking the ASIC companies register for director details.
When should a new director apply for a director ID?
Before they're appointed. ABRS says if you plan to become a director, you must apply for a director ID before your appointment.
