Get ready to apply for your director ID
All directors of Australian entities will soon need a director ID.
Director identifier numbers are now being introduced in Australia to help combat directors using fake identities and crackdown on illegal phoenixing. Applications for the unique identifier, which a director applies for once and keeps forever, will open in November with Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS).
"The new director ID now requires you to prove who you are and it’s putting real rigour around the process of who can be a company director" - Sian Sinclair CA
Who needs a director ID?
Local and foreign directors of Australian companies can apply for a director ID from November 2021.
Advisers are not permitted to apply for a director ID on someone else’s behalf.
A director applies for the unique ID once and keeps it forever.
Directors – even foreign directors – will have to apply for the director ID identity themselves. Business advisers, such as their accountants, and admin staff cannot apply on a director’s behalf.
Directors of multiple companies will only have to register once and maintain one director ID record.
With a 30 November 2022 deadline, most existing company directors have 12 months to get their director ID in place. Existing directors of Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander corporations have until November 2023.
New directors, however, have to move faster. In a transition period from November 2021 until April 2022, any new director must apply for an ID within 28 days. From 5 April 2022, new directors need to have applied for their ID before being appointed.
The fastest way to apply for Director ID is to apply online
#Step 1 – Set up myGovID
You will need a standard or strong identity strength myGovID to apply for your director ID online. If you:
don’t have a myGovID, you can find information on how to download the app at How to set up myGovID.
have a myGovID, you don’t need to do anything until November when you can apply for your director ID.
#Step 2 – Gather your documents
Applicants need some information the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) already holds (such as a tax file number and residential address), plus supporting documents to verify their identity.
Information that you can get from ATO:
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
PAYG payment summary.
#Step 3 – Complete your application
Once you have a standard or strong identity strength myGovID, and your documents, from November 2021 you can log in here 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 will depend on your situation.
ABRS recommends applying online, but you can also apply for a director ID over the phone or with paper forms, if required.
Apply by phone
From November 2021, you can apply by phone if you have:
an Australian tax file number (TFN)
the documents you need to verify your identity.
Apply with a paper form
If you can’t apply online or over the phone, you can apply using a paper form. This is a slower process and you will also need to provide certified copies of your documents to verify your identity.
Find out more
Visit the ABRS website for more information and to apply for a director ID.
Festival Season Greetings with Supporting Packages
COVID-Safe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program
The program is open from 11:00 AM 27 October 2021, and will remain open until the program application quota is filled.
The Victorian Government’s $14.5 million COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program will provide more than 7000 Victorian businesses, community organisations, not-for-profits, and trader associations with vouchers for $2000 to support initiatives such as outdoor hospitality and entertainment.
The COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program will assist businesses across the state to move activities outdoors by supporting their investment in equipment, permits, and other tools needed to offer safe retail, personal services, recreation, and dining options for the Victorian public during the remainder of 2021 and beyond.
Find out more
For more information about eligibility and to apply, visit the COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Voucher Program and the program guidelines pages.
Sustaining Creative Workers
The grant will be closed on 22 November 2021
The Victorian Government’s Sustaining Creative Workers initiative provides quick-response grants to individual creative practitioners as well as creative collectives and micro-organisations to help them through the challenges of the pandemic and plan for reactivation.
Quick-response grants of up to $5000 are available for creative practitioners, including sole traders and freelancers, and grants of up to $10,000 for creative collectives, micro-organisations, and businesses (those with less than five full-time equivalent staff).
Recipients can use their grant for activities such as but not limited to:
planning, adapting and relaunching work;
research and professional development;
products and/or skills development;
exploration of new ways to engage audiences for existing or new work; and/or
development/exploration of markets for your creative work.
Eligible applicants can work in any creative discipline, including those who support creative activity such as producers and technicians. They can be at any stage of their professional career or business. The program is open to applicants across the state.
Find out more
Program guidelines, including eligibility and how to apply, are available on the Regional Arts Victoria website.
Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund
The Government’s $6 million Clean Economy Workforce Capacity Building Fund will help drive Victoria’s clean energy future and net zero emissions by 2050 through projects that promote training for an expanded clean economy workforce.
Importantly, the Fund will continue to foster valuable more opportunities for collaboration between the Victorian TAFE and training sector and industry on new training, jobs, and products.
Applicants can receive up to $1 million for projects to address skills needs as major sectors transition, help upskill or reskill workers, and address issues within food production, transport, and industry.
Expressions of Interest (EOI)
As a first step, you need to complete an EOI. The Department encourages early submission of EOI to allow those invited to proceed to a full application to have ample time to complete their applications. Lodge your EOI as soon as possible at Department of Education and Training.
Key dates and application process
EOI opens on 25 October 2021 and close at Midnight, 19 November 2021. A representative from the Department may contact you to discuss your EOI and suitability for the Fund. If your EOI is deemed eligible, a link to the online application form will be sent to you, inviting you to submit a full application.
Please note: All online applications must be completed by Midnight, 3 December 2021.
Find out more
The 'who can apply' guide outlines the applicant eligibility requirements. For more information download the grant funding guidelines.
Find out How Lynden Group Melbourne can help
In partnership with Lynden Group, we will bring you quality services and long-term solutions for creating an inclusive business. From our highest levels of integrity and professionalism to exceptional accounting and financial services, these getting started guides offer best practices for making your business more sustainable and successful.