From November 2021, directors of Australian companies will be required to verify their identities by applying for a director identification number (DIN).
What is a DIN?
The DIN is a unique identification number that existing and future directors will be required to obtain.
The purpose of the DIN is to allow regulatory bodies to confirm a director’s identity and trace their relationships to companies.
Once a DIN is issued, it will be kept by that individual permanently even if they stop being a director, change their name, move interstate or overseas, or become a director of another company.
Who is required to apply for a DIN?
A person must apply for a DIN if they are a director or an alternate director (who is acting in that capacity) of:
a company, a registered Australian body, or a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act); and/or
an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) (CATSI Act).
Application process
To apply for a DIN, directors must:
Step 1: Download the myGovID app and set up a standard or strong strength myGovID. Please note that a myGovID is different to myGov.
Step 2: Gather the following information/documents:
tax file number;
residential address as held by the ATO; and
information from two documents to verify their identity (e.g. bank account details, super account details, dividend statement, PAYG payment summary, ATO notice of assessment, Centrelink payment summary).
Step 3: Complete their application for a DIN on the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) website.
If a director is not able to obtain a myGovID, they will be able to apply for a DIN over the phone or using a paper form. More details about these alternative options are available on the ABRS website.
Deadlines for applying for a DIN
Date of First Appointment | Deadline (for directors of corporations governed by the Corporations Act) | Deadline (for directors of corporations governed by the CATSI Act) |
On or before 31 October 2021 | By 30 November 2022 | By 30 November 2023 |
Between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 | Within 28 days of appointment | Before appointment |
From 5 April 2022 | Before appointment | Before appointment |
Once their DIN is issued, a director will need to notify the company of their DIN for their records.
Compliance
Directors must ensure that they meet their obligations under the new DIN regime. These obligations include:
applying for a DIN within the time frame applicable to them;
applying for a DIN when directed by the Registrar to do so;
not applying for multiple DINs; and
not misrepresenting their DIN to a government body or body corporate.
Penalties and criminal charges may apply to directors who fail to comply with their obligations under the DIN regime.
If you have any questions about ensuring that your legal documents are executed correctly, please do not hesitate to get in contact with Blueprint Law via our website or give us a call on +61 (2) 9300 3100.