New ID requirement for Directors.

From November 2021, company directors will be required by law to verify their identify by as part of a new director identification number (Director ID) requirement. The legislation will prevent the use of false and fraudulent director identities, make it easier for external administrators and regulators to trace directors’ relationships with companies over time and identify and eliminate director involvement in unlawful activity, such as illegal phoenix activity.

This legislation applies to directors of a company, registered foreign company, registered Australian body or Indigenous corporation.  Directors must apply for their own Director ID themselves; no one can apply on their behalf.

Directors will be required to produce their myGovID alongside two identity documents.  Examples of the documents you can use to verify your identity include:

• bank account details

• an ATO notice of assessment

• super account details

• a dividend statement

• a Centrelink payment summary

• PAYG payment summary.

Directors will only ever have one Director ID.  They will keep it forever even if they:

change companies

• stop being a director

• change their name; or

• move interstate or overseas.

Applications for a Director ID are free and registrations open on the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) website from November 2021.

If you are a Director and you do not have a myGovID, we recommend that you begin this process before November 2021 and prepare two identity documents, so that when registrations open you can readily apply for a Director ID.

For more information on the myGovID process, visit: mygovid.gov.au

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