Company Director's alert: DIN applications now available!

Director Identification Number (DIN) applications are now available at Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).

IN BRIEF
If you are a company director, acting alternate director, management committee member of ‘registered bodies’, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation, you are now required to have your own unique DIN, a 15 digit identification number issued by the ABRS.

With the commencement of the DIN regime, the following applies:

The first key date is for new directors appointed between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022. They will be required to apply within 28 days of their appointment;
New directors appointed from 5 April 2022 will need to apply for a DIN before their appointment; and
Existing directors who were appointed on or before the 31 October 20221 will need to apply for a DIN by 30 November 2022.

How to apply for DIN?

The applications for DIN are available:

online via using the myGovID app (this would be the fastest way)
by phone
with a paper form

Online Application

Step 1 – Set up myGovID

You will need a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength to apply for your director ID online. If you live outside Australia and can’t get a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, you will need to apply with a paper form and provide certified copies of your identity documents. If you live in Australia and:

don’t have a myGovID, you can find information on how to download the app at How to set up myGovID
already have a myGovID, you can apply for your director ID now.

Step 2 – Gather your Documents

You will need to have your information when you apply for your director ID, including:

your tax file number (TFN)
your residential address as held by the ATO
information from two documents to verify your identity.

Examples of the documents you can use to verify your identity include:

bank account details
an 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, and/or your PAYG instalment activity statement).

Step 3 – Complete your Application

Once you have a myGovID with a Standard or Strong identity strength, and information to verify your identity, you can log in and apply for your director ID. The application process should take less than 5 minutes.

If you can’t get a myGovID, the best way to apply for a director ID will depend on your situation.

Apply by Phone

You can apply by phone if you have:

an Australian tax file number (TFN); and
the information you need to verify your identity.

When you have the information you need to apply, you will need to contact ABRS:

If you are in Australia, phone 13 62 50
If you are calling from overseas, phone +61 2 6216 3440

Apply with a Paper Form

If you can’t apply online or over the phone, you can apply using a downloadable form – Application for a director identification number (NAT75329). This is a slower process and you will also need to provide certified copies of your documents to verify your identity. If you have issues completing the form, you can find help on ABRS Accessibility page.

There will be significant civil and criminal penalties for directors who do not comply!

If a director of an organisation registered under the Corporations Act fails to apply for a DIN within the applicable time frame, they may face significant civil penalties. There will be other large civil and criminal penalties associated with actions that undermine the DIN regime, such as providing false identification documents.

In addition to the above, we kindly ask you to provide your DIN to Azure Group's team, if we are appointed as your ASIC registered agent.

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