Director ID
Directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered under the CATSI Act must apply for a director ID. If you want to become a director, or you already are one, you’ll need a director ID.
A director ID is a unique 15-digit number given to a director (or someone who intends to become a director within the next 12 months) who has verified their identity with Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).
When to apply
Apply for a director ID as soon as you know that you might be appointed as a director.
If you’re appointed unexpectedly, apply for your director ID as soon as you can.
If you’re already a director, apply as soon as possible.
If your corporation is about to hold its AGM and appointing directors is part of the business of the meeting, tell all the candidates to apply for a director ID before the AGM if they can.
How to apply
ABRS dedicated phone line operating 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 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.
You must apply for your own director ID. Other people can help you, but they can't apply for you.
What to do with your director ID
Tell your corporation within 14 days of getting your director ID. Pass it on to the record-holder in your corporation (or corporations if you’re a director of more than one). The record-holder might be your corporation secretary, another director, or an authorised agent of the corporation.
Your corporation must notify ORIC within 28 days. Corporations can do this by:
- calling us on 1800 622 431
- emailing us at info@oric.gov.au
- lodging a 'Notification of a change to corporation directors, contact person or secretary’ form. They can lodge the form online or using the PDF copy of the form.
If you don't apply for a director ID
You can be appointed as a director, participate in directors' meetings, and perform your duties and functions without a director ID. But not applying for a director ID on time is an offence and you may face a penalty.
It is an offence to:
- not have a director ID if you're a person required to have one
- not apply for a director ID after the Registrar has directed you to.
The maximum penalty for each of these is 25 penalty units ($7,825). We will consider your circumstances when deciding what action to take.
Misusing director IDs
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 ($31,300) or imprisonment for 12 months or both.
More information
Visit the ABRS website for more information and to apply for a director ID.