The Director Identification Number (DIN) has been introduced under the Corporations Act 2001 (“the Act”) as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing attempts to reduce fraud and in particular, illegal phoenix activity.

A DIN will be a 15-digit number starting with “036” being the three digit code for Australia, then the eleven digit number and a check digit.  The number will be constant for each person notwithstanding the number of companies they are a director, the person changes their name or moves interstate/overseas.

Persons who are currently a director of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation in Australia will be required to obtain a DIN.  Current company directors must obtain a DIN by 30 November 2022, while persons not previously being a director of a company, will have 28 days to apply for a DIN after being appointed as a director up to April 2022, then after April 2022, the person will have to have a DIN prior to appointment.  The time for directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to obtain a DIN is slightly longer.

The Australian Business Registry Services (“ABRS”) is a Federal Government body set up to manage the DIN.

Various civil and criminal penalties have been introduced by the Act providing for monetary and/or gaol for persons who:

  • Fail to have a DIN when required (section 1272C)
  • Fail to apply for a DIN when directed to do so (section 1272D)
  • Applying for multiple DINs (section 1272G)
  • Misrepresenting a DIN (section 1272H)

To apply for a DIN is relatively fast (at least the ABRS website says so!!) and the applicant will need to provide various forms of identification and can be done online, by paper or even over the telephone.  The website for the ABRS is here

Applications for a DIN must be made personally by the director and not by an accountant or lawyer on the director’s behalf.  Although, if you need any assistance in applying for a DIN or have any questions as to the purpose or compliance with a DIN, please do not hesitate to contact us.