Key points:
- All company directors must have a director identification number, also called a director ID. You must apply for a director ID before you become a company director.
- A director ID is a unique number that you keep forever.
- You only need one director ID, even if you are a director of multiple companies.
- Director IDs aim to prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities. They also help to trace directors relationships with companies over time.
- Currently, director IDs are not recorded on the companies register.
- There are penalties if you do not have a director ID when required, apply for multiple director IDs or misrepresent your director ID.
Important changes to director ID obligations from 1 July 2027
From 1 July 2027, new laws will require companies to provide director IDs to ASIC. This requirement is added to the Corporations Act 2001 and will commence from 1 July 2027.
See FAQs for more information.
Apply for a director ID
Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) issues and administers director IDs.
Visit the ABRS website to learn more and apply
What is a director ID?
A director ID is a 15-digit identifier given to a company director or someone who intends to become a company director.
Director IDs are unique. No two directors have the same one.
Who must have a director ID?
All directors of Australian companies need a director ID. You also need a director ID if you are the director of a:
- registered Australian body
- registered foreign company
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation.
When to apply
If you plan to become a director, you must apply for a director ID before you’re appointed.
If you’re already a director and do not have a director ID, you must apply now.
Director IDs and companies register
Currently, you do not need to tell us your director ID when you apply to register a company or make changes to director details.
From 1 July 2027, companies will need to provide director IDs to ASIC. Further information and guidance will be provided.
If your personal details have changed since applying for your director ID, you can update them by visiting abrs.gov.au.
For more information on how to view and update your details visit the Manage your director ID page on the ABRS website.
Director IDs do not change other company requirements in relation to ASIC
You must continue to keep your company details up to date with ASIC. For example, as a director, you must still notify us of changes to company addresses and other details. This includes officeholder details. This is so we can keep our registers up to date as a public record.
FAQs
1. What are the upcoming changes to director ID obligations?
From 1 July 2027, new laws will require companies to provide director IDs to ASIC.
2. Who do these changes apply to?
These changes apply to companies and company directors, including where an individual is a director of a registered Australian body or a registered foreign company.
3. How will these changes work in practice?
Companies will need to provide director IDs to ASIC through company reporting processes, including the annual review or when notifying changes to directors’ details.
Over time, the companies register will display whether a company has provided director IDs for its directors.
These changes will:
- reduce the risk of fraud and identity misuse
- improve the accuracy of company records
- make it easier to identify company directors
- improve the quality and usability of registry information.
4. What do I need to do now?
Check your company and director details are up to date. Keeping your details up to date now will help avoid delays or issues later.
Take a few minutes now to make sure your details are correct:
- check your company details are up to date
- confirm all current directors are listed
- update any incorrect names, addresses or contact details.
Further information and guidance will be provided before 1 July 2027.
5. What if a company has more than one director?
Companies will need to collect the director ID of each current director and provide them to ASIC. Further information and guidance will be provided before 1 July 2027.
6. Can my agent assist me with this process?
At this stage, registered agents and intermediaries can support by helping their clients understand the requirements and checking that their details are accurate and consistent across ASIC and ABRS records.
Further information and guidance will be provided before 1 July 2027.
7. What is the role of ABRS and what is ASIC’s role?
Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) is responsible for verifying director identities and administering director ID.
ASIC is responsible for registering companies, adding director ID information to the companies register, and enforcing director ID obligations.
8. I already have a director ID – do I need to do anything?
If you already have a director ID, your identity has been verified by ABRS.
If your personal details have changed since applying for your director ID, you can update them by visiting abrs.gov.au.
You can find more information on how to view and update your details on the managing your director ID page on the ABRS website.
9. How do I update and view my details?
Australian Business Registry Services issues and administers director IDs. You can find more information on how to view and update your director ID details on the ABRS managing your director ID page.
The ASIC company officeholder portal can be used to view and update company details.
10. What legislation introduces these changes?
This requirement is added to the Corporations Act 2001 and will commence from 1 July 2027.
11. Where can I find more information about these changes?
This page reflects the latest ASIC information and guidance, with further updates to be provided.
12. I received a flyer with my company annual statement – what is it?
You may have received an information flyer with your company annual statement pack from ASIC.
The flyer provides early information about the upcoming changes to director ID obligations.
The flyer is for early awareness only; there is no immediate change to your obligations. Further information and guidance to be provided before 1 July 2027.
Download flyer about important changes to director ID obligations (PDF 457 KB)
13. What is the RegistryConnect program?
The RegistryConnect program is a multi-year program to deliver reliable, secure, trusted and efficient registry services to support the economy for the benefit of all Australians. These changes will make the ASIC business registers easier to use, reduce opportunities for misuse, and improve data accuracy, including adding director ID information into the companies register over time.
Penalties relating to director IDs
ASIC enforces director ID offences set out in the Corporations Act 2001.
It is an offence if you:
- do not apply for a director ID on time
- do not have a director ID when you should
- apply for more than one director ID or
- misrepresent your director ID.
Serious penalties may apply, including fines and imprisonment.
The penalties are described in ‘penalty units’. The unit value changes over time.
Learn more about penalties and penalty units.
