Director ID

A director ID is a 15-digit number that identifies you as a director. Apply for one as soon as you know you’re going to be a director. 

If you’re already a director and don’t have a director ID, apply for it as soon as possible.

If you’re about to have an annual general meeting (AGM) and appointing directors is part of the business, tell candidates to apply for director ID before the meeting.

After you get a director ID

Tell your corporation within 14 days of getting your director ID. 

Notify us within 28 days by:

  • calling 1800 622 431
  • emailing info@oric.gov.au
  • lodging a notification of a change to corporation directors, contact person or secretary form. 

Notify us online about changes to directors' details or you can use this form.

If you don’t get a director ID

You can still be appointed as a director without a director ID. But if you don’t apply for one on time, you could face a penalty.

It’s an offence to:

  • not have a director ID if you're required to have one
  • not apply for a director ID after you have been lawfully directed to apply for one.

The maximum penalty for each of these is 25 penalty units ($8,250 for offences on or after 7 November 2024)

Misusing director ID

It is an offence to:

  • apply for a director ID when you know you already have one
  • give a corporation a director ID that isn't yours.

The maximum penalty for each of these is 100 penalty units ($33,000 for offences on or after 7 November 2024) or prison for 12 months – or both.

Apply for director ID

Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) has a phone line just for directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations between 10am and 3pm (AEDT), Monday to Friday. Call 1300 342 353 and enter pin 108.

The quickest and easiest way is to apply by phone, but there are 2 other ways to apply:

  • Online - use the myID (formerly myGovID) app to log in to ABRS online and fill out the application form
  • By paper - fill in a paper application form, attach certified copies of your identity documents and post it to the ABRS. If you don’t have enough identity documents, get a referee to confirm they know you.

To apply on paper, you'll need to fill out the application form. Attach copies of your identity documents when you send it to ABRS.

If you don't have enough identity documents, you'll also need to use the referee form.

You must apply for your own director ID. Other people can help you, but they can't apply for you.

Learn more about director ID from Australian Business Registry Services.

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