Directors Who Have Not Met Their Obligations
The Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) continues to engage with directors who haven’t met their obligations, and if you are a director of an organisation that has yet to apply for a Director ID, you may be contacted.
Actions that may be taken if a director fails to apply include:
- Being asked to attend an interview with a delegate of the Registrar to explain why they haven’t obtained one, and/or
- Referral to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to consider investigation and prosecution.
Director ID Offences
It’s a criminal offence for a director to not apply on time, and information about the penalties will be included in the correspondence being issued. You can learn more about director ID penalties and offences from the ABRS website.
How Bookkeepers can Help
Directors may request assistance from their Bookkeeper to support them in applying for a Director ID. However, as per law, an authorised agent can only assist with this process, but cannot complete the application on the director’s behalf. The fastest way is to apply online at ABRS.gov.au. If a director is unable to apply online, they can phone the ABRS on 13 62 50.
- Directors who live in Australia but are unable to apply online or over the phone, will need to complete a paper application form: Application for a director identification number – for people living in Australia (NAT 75437)
- Directors who live outside Australia and can’t apply online, will need to complete a paper application form: Application for a director identification number – for those living outside Australia (NAT 75433).
For more information about who needs a director ID and how to apply, visit ABRS.gov.au.
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