The team at Advivo have done the research on the new Australian Business Registry Service and Director Identification Number.
As of 1 November 2021, all Australian Directors must apply for a Director Identification Number (DIN), this is part of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program implemented in 2020 to combine the ABR and over 30 ASIC registers to create the new Australian Business Registry Services. The MBR is being implemented by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) together with the Treasury, ASIC, the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, and the Digital Transformation Agency.
What is it?
The director ID is a 15 digit number to identify you as a company director to confirm that you have verified your identity and prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities. Once registered, this is your personal identification number which stays with you forever, even if you move companies, cease to be a director or change your name, similar to a TFN. You will need to provide his number if you become the director of another company.
Only one application is necessary regardless of the number of companies you are a director for. In a later stage of the ARBS transition period, there will be a linking process where your companies will be linked to your director ID using the data matching
Who needs to apply for a DIN?
If you are a director or an alternate director acting in that capacity for:
- a company, registered Australian body or a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001
- an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under the CATSI Act 2006, you will need to register.
This includes charities, not-for-profit and corporate trustees, click here for the full list.
When do you need to apply?
There are several timeframes to allow you to apply depending on when you first become a director.
For directors under the Corporations Act:
- If you were a director before 1 November 2021 you have until 30 November 2022.
- New directors between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 must apply within 28 days of appointment
- From 5 April 2022 onwards you must apply before you are appointed
Directors under the CATSI Act:
- Existing directors on or before 31 October 2022 have until 30 November 2023
- From 1 November 2022, you must apply before you are appointed
How to apply?
Only you can apply for your director ID.
You will need to already have your myGovID set up with either standard or strong identity strength to apply for your director ID online. If you don’t have your myGovID you can follow the steps from How to set up. Remember that this is not the same as your myGov account.
To apply go to https://www.abrs.gov.au/. You will need to provide your TFN and the residential address that is held with the ATO. You should also have 2 documents ready to verify identity; this includes your bank account details, an ATO Notice of Assessment or a PAYG payment summary. Click here for the full list of documents.
The other application options if you cannot get a myGovID are by phone or paper applications, however, these will require you to provide additional proof of identity documents that have been certified. If you are an overseas director of an Australian company you will need to apply with a paper form and provide certified and translated (if applicable) documents.
How we can help?
As already mentioned above, only you can apply for your own director ID however Advivo can assist our clients with ensuring your information is accurate with the ATO, ABR & ASIC. By ensuring there are no discrepancies with your information across all registers we can lodge the appropriate forms with ASIC to allow the data matching process to find your records.
If you have any questions regarding the new ARBS or the director’s ID, please contact us today to speak with our friendly support team.