Director ID requirements

Are you in the process of starting a new company, or appointing a new director to an existing company?  If so, be aware that directors of Australian companies must obtain a director identification number (Director ID). 

Company directors must authenticate their identification as part of the Director ID program. These requirements have been introduced by ASIC to help prevent the use of fictitious or fraudulent director identities.

New directors who are appointed for the first time between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 have 28 days from date of appointment to apply for their Director ID.  However, existing directors who were appointed on or before 31 October 2021 do not have to submit an application for their Director ID until November 30, 2022. 

Directors who are unable to apply for their Director ID within the timeframes indicated can request a time extension.  You can find more information via the ABRS website: https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number .

ASIC is responsible for enforcing a failure of a director to obtain their Director ID. If a director fails to submit an application by the deadline, they may be charged with a criminal offence.

If you’re interested to know more about your obligations as a director of an Australian company, please reach out to our commercial lawyers at Dexterity Law here.

The above article was written by Pippin Barry (BA, JD - 2012, The University of Melbourne), an Australian Legal Practitioner.