The Director Identification Number (DIN) regime is currently in its introductory transition period.

It applies to a director of an Australian company, a registered Australian body or a registered foreign company under the Corporations Act 2001.

Company directors appointed between 1 November 2021 and 4 April 2022 who do not already have a DIN must apply for a DIN within 28 days of appointment.

From 5 April 2022 persons who become directors and who do not already have a DIN must apply for a DIN before appointment.

If a person was already a director of an Australian company before 31 October 2021 and has subsequently been, or will be, appointed as director of another Australian company, that person still has until 30 November 2022 to apply for a DIN.

You don’t need a director ID if you are:

• a company secretary but not a director
• acting as an external administrator of a company
• running a business as a sole trader or partnership
• referred to as a ‘director’ in your job title but have not been appointed as a director under the Corporations Act or the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006
• a director of a registered charity with an organisation type that is not registered with ASIC or ORIC to operate throughout Australia
• an officer of an unincorporated association, cooperative or incorporated association established under state or territory legislation, unless the organisation is also a registered Australian body.

If you found this article helpful, then subscribe to our news emails to keep up to date and look at our video courses for in-depth training. Use the search box at the top right of this page or the categories list on the right hand side of this page to check for other articles on the same or related matters.

Author: David Jacobson
Principal, Bright Corporate Law
Email:
About David Jacobson
The information contained in this article is not legal advice. It is not to be relied upon as a full statement of the law. You should seek professional advice for your specific needs and circumstances before acting or relying on any of the content.