All directors of a company in Australia are required to apply for a director identification number (director ID) before 30 November 2022. A director ID is a unique identifier that directors apply for once and keep forever.

You will need a director ID if you are a director of a company, a corporate trustee of a self-managed super fund, a charity or not for profit organisation that is a company structure, a registered foreign company, or a registered Australian body such as an incorporated association that is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

If you haven’t already, it’s time to apply now. The fastest way to apply for a director ID is online, by using the myGovID app to log in to ABRS online. You will need a myGovID with at least a Standard identity strength.

To verify your identity, you must apply for your own director ID – tax professionals cannot apply on your behalf. While your registered tax professional cannot apply on your behalf, they can help provide you with details from ATO stored identity documents.

Before you start your online application, make sure you have your personal identity documents at hand. These must relate to you as an individual, not the business or self-managed super fund. Most applicants use the following documents:

– bank account details (where your tax refunds have been paid)

– an ATO notice of assessment.

You can also use:

– superannuation fund account details (self-managed super fund (SMSF) details are not accepted)

– a dividend statement

– a Centrelink payment summary

– a PAYG payment summary (this is different to your income statement or your PAYG instalment activity statement).

For more information and to watch a step-by-step demonstration on how to apply for a director ID online, visit abrs.gov.au/directorID Additional resources are available in other languages at abrs.gov.au/other-languages