Running out of Time - Get your Director Identification Number

In line with legislative changes introduced in November 2021, all directors must apply for a unique 15 digit Director Identification Number (DIN). Directors only need to apply for a DIN once, at no cost and this number remains the same even if the director changes companies, ceases to be a director or moves interstate or overseas. Further information on the nature and purpose of DINs can be found in our earlier article, ‘Let the rollout of DINs begin: Director Identification Numbers’.

If you were appointed as a director or alternative director of a company, corporate trustee, registered Australian body (such as a incorporated association registered with ASIC) or foreign company registered with ASIC, on or before 31 October 2021, you must have applied for your DIN by 30 November 2022.

As this next deadline approaches, this article serves as a timely reminder to apply for your DIN.

Key Dates

The time by which you must apply for a DIN depends on when you became a director:

1. company directors appointed on or before 31 October 2021 must apply by 30 November 2022;

2. company directors appointed between 1 November 2021 and April 2022 must apply within 28 days of appointment; and

3. company directors appointed from 5 April 2022 will need to apply before they are appointed.

How to Apply

As a director, you must apply for a DIN yourself. Another individual cannot apply on your behalf.

There are three types of DIN applications:

1. Online applications

You can apply online by downloading the myGovID app, creating an account, and verifying your identity. To verify your identity, you will be asked to provide your tax file number, residential address as recorded with the ATO and upload two of the following forms of identification: driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate, visa or Medicare card.

After successfully creating a myGovID account, you will need to follow the prompts on the ABRS website. This will include collating information from two documents, examples of which include:

• bank account details;

• an ATO notice of assessment;

• superannuation account details;

• a dividend statement;

• a Centrelink payment summary; or

• a PAYG tax summary.

2. Phone Applications

To apply over the phone, call 13 62 50 (or +61 2 6216 3340 from overseas) between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.

You will be asked to verify your identity by:

• providing your tax file number and confirming your residential address as recorded with the ATO;

• answering two additional questions based on details the ATO knows about you; and

• providing details from one primary identification document (passport, birth certificate, citizenship certificate) and one secondary identification document (Medicare card and driver’s licence).

3. Paper applications

Paper application re designed for directors who are lacking sufficient Australian identify documents.

Late applications and penalties

Failure to apply for a DIN by your applicable deadline may result in severe penalties including fines. If circumstances prevent you from applying for a DIN before the deadline, you should complete an application for extension of time.

When you obtain your DIN you must pass it on to the record-holder in your company.

For assistance with understanding the DIN requirements and general guidance, please contact our people.

Ron Zucker 0410 590 111

Chelsea Woodward 0404 065 899