Director Identification Numbers

Update

We have reported previously on the introduction of the Director Identification Number (DIN) regime. This is part of the Government’s Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program under the Treasury Laws Amendment (Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2020 (Cth). A DIN is a Director ID, a unique 15 digit numerical identifier assigned to each eligible director as proof of their identity. The regime is primarily designed to help stamp out illegal phoenixing and track other fraudulent and unlawful activities.

The ATO has now launched its Australian Business Registry Services website (ABRS). From November 2021, company directors will be able to start applying for a DIN through the ABRS.

Who needs a DIN

You will need to apply for a DIN if you are a director of a company, a registered foreign company or a registered Australian body registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) (CATSI Act).

Application process

You can apply for your DIN from November 2021. If you are planning on becoming a director, you can apply before appointed.

  1. Step 1 is to set up your myGovID if you don’t already have one. This is different to myGov. MyGovID is an app which you download from your smart device and which lets you prove who you are and log in to a range of government services online, including myGov.
  2. Step 2 is to gather the documents which you need to verify your identity.
  3. Step 3 is to complete the application on the ABRS website which should take less than 5 minutes.

Application deadlines

The deadlines by which existing and future directors will need to have applied for a DIN is set out in the Corporations (Director Identification Numbers – Transitional Application Period) Instrument 2021 which was registered on 5 October 2021. The ABRS website provides further details.

For Corporations Act directors:

Date you become a director Date you must apply
On or before 31 October 2021   By 30 November 2022
Between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022  Within 28 days of appointment
From 5 April 2022 Before appointment

For CATSI Act directors:

Date you become a director Date you must apply
On or before 31 October 2022    By 30 November 2023
From 1 November 2022 Before appointment

More information

The ABRS page provides further information on the application process, who needs to apply and when and other helpful details.

The above news items are provided as general information in summary form of legislation and are not intended as legal advice.

Please contact us at McGuinnLegal if you would like further information or need specific advice in relation to any of these matters.