The transitional period for existing directors to identify themselves and apply for a Director Identification Number is ending on 30 November 2022.

If you were an existing director on or before 31 October 2021, you will need to verify yourself and apply for a DIN before 30 November 2022.

Those appointed from 1 November 2021 onwards should already have their DIN. If this is not the case, you should apply immediately. Non-current directors will need to apply for the DIN prior to being appointed.

The DIN is intended to clean-up ASIC’s Companies register relating to directors’ details. The DIN will highlight inaccuracies in director’s names, dates, places of birth and residential addresses. All directors and alternate directors need to apply for a Director Identification Number, no exceptions. Unless deemed to be alternate directors, secretaries need not apply.

If you are eligible for a DIN and have not yet applied, now is the time to do it – before it’s too late. As previously mentioned, the phase in period is ending.

However, there is no need to worry, Australian DIN applications have been made very simple. Keeping in mind, if you are seeking a foreign DIN, the process may be slightly more  challenging. To apply, we recommend using your MyGovID (the ATO Portal app). The process will be more difficult via phone or paper. Details are below:

When do directors need to apply?

Existing directors appointed before 31st October 2021 need to apply before 30 November 2022.

New directors appointed after 5 April 2022:

Directors appointed after 5 April 2022 need to verify themselves and apply for a DIN before they are appointed as a director.

Existing CATSI Act directors appointing before 31st October 2022:

Directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered under CATSI Act appointed before 31 October 2022 will have until 30 November 2023 to apply for their Director ID.

Intending Directors:

A person with the intention of becoming a director within 12 months may apply for a director ID. If the Director ID is not linked to a company within 12 months, the Director ID will be cancelled, and the director will need to apply to reactivate it.

How to Apply:

Directors must apply for their DIN themselves. It cannot be completed by an ASIC agent or other representative on their behalf. There are 3 ways to verify a director’s identity and apply for a director ID.

Digital application (preferred):

Firstly, you will need to set up the MyGovID app on your personal device. To do this, you will need to provide an email and complete the proof of record ownership (PORO) process via the app using any of the following forms of ID:

• Driver’s licence or learner’s permit
• Passport (not more than 3 years expired)
• Birth certificate
• Citizenship certificate
• Medicare card
• Visa (using your foreign passport)
• ImmiCard

After setting up your MyGovID, the below documents can be used to apply for the DIN:

• Bank account details
• ATO notice of assessment
• Super account details
• A dividend statement
• A centrelink payment summary
• A PAYG payment summary (this is different to your income statement or your PAYG instalment activity statement).

Please note, if you provide us with your TFN, we can generally access this information for you if you don’t have it readily available.

You can also find all this information and more to help you apply online on the ABRS website linked here.

Alternatively, other options for making your application are as follows:

Phone application:

Apply for Director ID verbally over the phone

Answer questions regarding proof of identity documents

This is only available to directors who have an Australian TFN

Paper Application:

Apply for a Director ID using PDF form and provide certified (and translated) proof of identity documents and mail documents to: APRS, Locked Bag 6000, Albury NSW 2640

If you have any troubles obtaining a MyGov ID or Director ID, please feel free to give Altitude a call.