If you’re a director of an Australian company, you are legally required to hold a Director Identification Number (DIN). Introduced in 2021 and enforced since 2022, the DIN regime is now a non-negotiable compliance obligation — and ASIC is actively pursuing directors who have not complied. This guide explains what you need to know in 2026.
What Is a Director Identification Number (DIN)?
A Director Identification Number (DIN) is a unique, permanent 15-digit identifier assigned to individuals who are, or wish to become, a director of a company or other registered body. The DIN stays with you for life — it does not change if you change companies, resign from a board, or stop being a director for a period.
The DIN regime was introduced by the Treasury Laws Amendment (Registries Modernisation and Other Measures) Act 2020 (Cth) and forms part of Australia’s broader Corporations Act framework. It is administered by the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), which operates under ASIC’s oversight.
The primary purpose of the regime is to prevent phoenix activity — the practice of allowing directors to abandon debts and resurface under a new company identity. By assigning a permanent identifier to every director, regulators can track patterns of misconduct across multiple corporate appointments and take meaningful enforcement action.
Who Needs a Director Identification Number?
You must have a DIN if you are or will become a director of:
- Australian companies registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
- Registered foreign companies carrying on business in Australia
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered under the CATSI Act
This obligation applies regardless of whether you are a sole director of a proprietary company or one of many directors on the board of a large public company. The obligation is personal — it attaches to you as an individual, not to your company.
Importantly, alternate directors and shadow directors may also be captured by the regime depending on the circumstances. If you exercise director functions without formal appointment, you should obtain legal advice about your obligations.
Deadlines: Have You Already Missed Yours?
The DIN deadlines have now passed for all existing directors. The transitional timeframes that applied were:
| Director Type | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Existing directors appointed on or before 31 October 2021 | 30 November 2022 |
| Directors appointed between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 | 31 January 2023 |
| New directors appointed from 5 April 2022 onwards | Before appointment (or within 28 days of appointment in some circumstances) |
If you were appointed as a director after 5 April 2022, you must apply for your DIN before you are appointed. You cannot act as a director of an Australian company without first obtaining your DIN.
If you missed the transitional deadlines, you are already in breach of the Corporations Act. The obligation does not disappear with time — you must still obtain your DIN, and you remain exposed to ASIC enforcement action for each day of non-compliance. Early remediation reduces (but does not eliminate) your risk.
How to Apply for a Director Identification Number
You must apply personally for your DIN — you cannot authorise another person (including your accountant, lawyer, or company secretary) to apply on your behalf. This personal application requirement is central to the integrity of the regime.
The application process requires:
- A myGovID account at the standard or strong identity strength level. You will need to verify your identity using documents such as your passport, driver’s licence, and Medicare card.
- Access to the ABRS DIN application portal at abrs.gov.au. Log in with your myGovID credentials.
- Your Australian tax file number (TFN) — optional but speeds up the process. Without a TFN, you may need to provide additional identity documents.
- Residential address history for the past five years — required for identity verification purposes.
The application is free and, for most applicants with a strong myGovID, takes less than five minutes to complete online. Your DIN is issued immediately upon successful application.
Foreign directors who cannot easily obtain a myGovID (because they do not hold Australian documents) can apply by phone or by submitting a paper form through the ABRS. These alternative pathways take longer.
What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?
Non-compliance with the DIN requirement is a serious matter. The Corporations Act creates several offences related to director identification, including:
- Failing to apply for a DIN when required — a civil penalty offence
- Directing or authorising another person to apply for a DIN in your name — both you and the person applying may face penalties
- Providing false or misleading information in a DIN application — carries more serious consequences including potential criminal liability
- Misrepresenting your DIN (or someone else’s) — an offence that can attract penalties for each false representation
- Applying for multiple DINs — the regime prohibits holding more than one DIN; each additional application is an offence
Civil penalties for DIN offences can be significant, and ASIC has the power to apply to a court for a penalty order. In more serious cases involving fraudulent conduct, criminal prosecution is available.
Beyond direct penalties, non-compliance can affect your ability to be appointed to boards, obtain professional indemnity cover, and maintain your standing with lenders and counterparties who increasingly conduct director-level compliance checks as part of their due diligence.
ASIC Enforcement: What Is Happening in 2026?
ASIC treats DIN non-compliance as a priority enforcement matter. It forms part of ASIC’s broader campaign against phoenix activity and director misconduct — priorities that remain front and centre for the regulator heading into the 2026-27 financial year.
ASIC has been cross-referencing the ABRS database with its own company registers to identify directors who do not hold a DIN. Where a director is found to be acting without a DIN, ASIC can:
- Issue a formal warning and require immediate compliance
- Commence civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court
- Refer the matter for criminal investigation where fraud or deliberate evasion is suspected
- Use DIN non-compliance as evidence in broader phoenix or insolvent trading investigations
ASIC’s enforcement approach has progressively hardened since the transitional deadlines closed in early 2023. Directors who still do not hold a DIN in 2026 face a much higher risk of enforcement action than those who were simply slow to comply during the transitional period.
Common Questions About Director Identification Numbers
Do I need a new DIN for each company I direct?
No. Your DIN is permanent and universal. Once issued, it applies to all of your directorships — current and future. You must never apply for a second DIN, even if you leave all boards and later return to directorial roles. Applying for a second DIN is itself a breach of the Corporations Act.
What if I resigned as a director before the DIN deadline?
If you resigned before the applicable deadline and do not currently hold a directorial role, you were not required to obtain a DIN at the time your obligations fell due. However, if you intend to become a director again in the future, you must apply for a DIN before your new appointment. The obligation to hold a DIN attaches to the act of holding office, not merely to having held office in the past.
I’m a director of an overseas company with no Australian operations. Do I need a DIN?
If your company is a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act (i.e. it is registered in Australia because it carries on business here), then yes — its directors need DINs. However, a purely foreign company with no Australian registration is outside the regime.
What if my accountant told me I didn’t need a DIN?
The obligation to hold a DIN is set by the Corporations Act. Regardless of advice you may have received, if you are currently a director of an Australian registered company, you need a DIN. Acting on incorrect advice does not provide a legal defence to an ASIC enforcement action, though it may be relevant to the penalty imposed. If you are uncertain, obtain legal advice and apply for your DIN immediately.
Can my lawyer or accountant apply for my DIN for me?
No. The application must be made personally by you. Your accountant or lawyer can assist you in setting up your myGovID and walk you through the process, but the actual application must be submitted using your own myGovID credentials. Allowing someone else to apply on your behalf — or applying on someone else’s behalf — is an offence.
Director Disputes and Compliance: The Bigger Picture
DIN compliance is just one aspect of a director’s legal obligations under the Corporations Act. Directors must also:
- Act with care and diligence (s 180)
- Act in good faith in the best interests of the company (s 181)
- Not improperly use their position or information (ss 182-183)
- Avoid insolvent trading (s 588G)
- Maintain proper financial records and have them audited where required
When these obligations are breached — whether through non-compliance with DIN requirements or through more serious conduct such as insolvent trading or self-dealing — ASIC and liquidators have powerful enforcement tools at their disposal. The costs of a director breach can include personal liability for company debts, disqualification from managing corporations, and civil or criminal penalties.
If you are facing a director dispute, an ASIC investigation, or questions about your personal liability as a director, you need experienced commercial lawyers in your corner. Boss Lawyers’ team of director disputes lawyers in Brisbane can advise you on your rights, obligations, and options — whether you are defending enforcement action or asserting your rights against other directors.
We also act in insolvency matters where directors need to understand their exposure when a company is in financial difficulty.
FAQ: Director Identification Numbers in Australia
What is the penalty for not having a Director ID?
Failure to hold a Director Identification Number when required is a civil penalty offence under the Corporations Act. ASIC can apply to a court for a civil penalty, the amount of which the court determines. In addition to court-ordered penalties, acting without a DIN may also affect your ability to hold directorial appointments. The risk escalates the longer you remain non-compliant. This is general information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain professional advice specific to your circumstances.
How long does it take to get a Director ID?
For most Australian directors with a strong myGovID account, the application takes less than five minutes and the DIN is issued immediately. If you need to set up a myGovID first or verify using alternative documents, the process may take several days. This is general information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain professional advice specific to your circumstances.
Can I hold multiple Director IDs?
No. The Corporations Act prohibits applying for or holding more than one Director Identification Number. Your DIN is permanent and applies to all of your current and future directorships. Applying for a second DIN is itself an offence. This is general information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain professional advice specific to your circumstances.
This is general information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain professional advice specific to your circumstances.
Mark Harley
Principal Solicitor, Boss Lawyers
Level 27, Santos Place, 32 Turbot Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
1300 267 711 | bosslawyers.com.au
