DFK Gooding Partners

November 22, 2021

Categories: International Business, Legislation & Regulatory Updates

Under new legislation introduced earlier this year, directors of a company, a registered Australian body or a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act), or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) will be required to apply for a director identification number (director ID).

A director identification number (director ID) is a unique identifier you will keep forever. Its core purpose is to help to track director appointments and prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities.

This process is required for any person who is appointed as:

  • a director
  • an alternate director who is acting in that capacity.

You must apply for your own director ID to verify your identity. No one can apply on your behalf. Directors will only ever have one director ID which they will keep forever even if they:

  • change companies
  • stop being a director
  • change their name
  • move interstate or overseas.

Click here for more information on the benefits and obligations regarding director ID’s 

How to apply for your director ID as a Foreign Director:

1. Download and complete your paper application form 

To complete your foreign director ID application, you will need to lodge a paper application. The paper application form is available to download and print using this link. 

2. Certify copies of one primary document and one secondary document 

You must provide one certified copy of each document with your application form:

  • Acceptable Primary documents: foreign birth certificate or foreign passport
  • Acceptable secondary documents: national photo ID or driver’s license.

How to have your documents certified:

An authorised certifier must, in the presence of the applicant, certify that each copy is a true and correct copy of the original document. This involves:

  1. Sighting the original document;
  2. Stamping, signing and annotating the copy of the identity document to state, ‘I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true and correct copy of the original document sighted’;
  3. Initialing each page; and
  4. Listing their name, date of certification, phone number and position.

The following people are authorised to certify your identity documents outside Australia:

  • Notary publics
  • Staff at your nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate, including consulates headed by Austrade honorary consuls

For a list of Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates by country, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) here.

Unable to provide certified copied of your paper identity documents?

You will need to contact the Australian Business Registry Service (ABRS) directly:

  • You can phone the ABRS between 8.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday AEST
  • If you are in Australia, phone 13 62 50.
  • If you are calling from overseas, phone +61 2 6216 3440.
  • If you have difficulty speaking or understanding English, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 13 14 50 between 8.00am and 5.00pm (AEST) Monday to Friday. If you are calling from overseas, phone +61 3 9268 8332. The service will then call us with an interpreter, so we can help with your query.

Documents in languages other than English

If your identity documents are not written in English, you must arrange for them to be translated into English. Including ensuring the translations have been completed by an approved translation service and certified as a true and correct copy.

3. Lodge your documents with the ABRS via registered post 

Once you have completed your paper application and have had your primary and secondary documents certified, all documents must be sent via registered post to the ABRS at the below address:

Australian Business Registry Services
Locked Bag 6000
ALBURY NSW 2640
Australia

The ABRS typically provides a decision on your application within 28 days of receiving all necessary information. If your application is incomplete or incorrect, it may take longer. Do not lodge another application during this time.

What do I do once I have my director ID number?

Once you have received your director ID, please forward a copy of the formal director ID notification to your client contact at DFK Gooding Partners

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Still unsure or need more information or help?

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice: (08) 9327 1777 | info@goodingpartners.com.au