
If you're looking to find out who the directors are for a company in Australia, there are a few ways to go about it. One way is to use the 'Organisations and Business Names' search on ASIC Connect. This allows you to search by the company's name or Australian Company Number (ACN). Another way is to verify an individual's current and historical directorships through an ASIC Personal Search. This search provides details about an individual's directorships and shareholdings in Australia. Directors of companies in Australia are required to have a director identification number (director ID) and must abide by the directors' duties as outlined in the Corporations Act 2001.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Requirements to become a director | Must be actively involved in overseeing the company's affairs and give written consent to be appointed as a director |
| Director Identification Number (ID) | Required for directors of a company, registered Australian body, registered foreign company or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation |
| Applying for a Director ID | Must apply for your own Director ID; the fastest way to get one is to apply online for free |
| Director ID Usage | Used to verify identity and prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities |
| Director ID Disclosure | Only disclosed to the director or certain Commonwealth, state and territory government bodies |
| Regulatory Landscape | Directors must abide by the Corporations Act 2001, which includes acting in good faith, with proper purpose, and in the company's best interest |
| Compliance Obligations | Extensive and constantly changing; non-compliance can result in significant penalties |
| Director Responsibilities | Ensuring timely reporting and payment of tax and super obligations, maintaining Australian Business Number (ABN) details, and avoiding conflicts of interest |
| Updating Personal Details | Directors must notify ASIC of any changes within 28 days to avoid late fees; if an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation director, must notify the corporation within 14 days, which then notifies the Office of Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) within 28 days |
| Director ID Provision | Not required to provide to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); required by law to provide to the corporation record-holder within 14 days of obtaining the Director ID |
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What You'll Learn

Director Identification Number
A Director Identification Number (director ID) is a unique 15-digit identifier given to a director, or someone who intends to become a director, who has verified their identity with the Australian Business Registry Services. This will be used to trace relationships to companies over time and prevent illegal phoenix activities.
All directors of Australian companies need a director ID. If you plan to become a director, you must apply for a director ID before you’re appointed. If you’re already a director and do not have a director ID, you must apply now.
There are three options for the application process:
- MyGovID – this is an application designed to allow users to authenticate with Australian Government websites and services and was developed by the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA).
- Apply by phone – you can apply by phone if you have an Australia Tax file number (TFN) and have the information you need to verify your identity.
- Paper form - If you can’t apply online or over the phone, you can apply using a downloadable form.
Once you have your director ID, you must provide it to your corporation's record-holder within 14 days. This can be the company secretary, another director, or an authorised agent of the company. If appointed as a director of any other companies in the future, directors will also need to give their ID number to the people responsible for maintaining the records of those companies.
Directors must also inform the Registrar of any changes to the information attached to their ID. Failing to hold a director ID may result in an infringement notice or possible civil and/or criminal prosecution.
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Australian Business Registry Services
To find information about company directors in Australia, you can use the Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) websites.
The ABRS is responsible for issuing and administering director identification numbers (director IDs). A director ID is a unique 15-digit identifier given to a company director or someone who intends to become a director. It is mandatory for all company directors to have a director ID to prevent false or fraudulent identities. Directors must apply for their own ID, which is free and can be done online. The director ID is kept forever and only needs to be applied for once.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
ASIC maintains registers that can be searched to find information about companies, business names, persons, lodged documents, and more. The ASIC website also provides information on registering a new business, managing company details, deregistering a company, and applying for an Australian financial services (AFS) licence.
NZAU Connect App
ASIC also offers the NZAU Connect app, which allows users to search across Australia and New Zealand for financial and investment product providers and financial advisors. The app includes a "Banned and Disqualified" search feature, which provides details on any bannings or disqualifications handed down by ASIC.
Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) Register
The ORIC Register of Disqualified Officers provides information on any relevant bannings and disqualifications for companies registered under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2006 and the Corporations Act 2001.
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Regulatory obligations
Directors of companies in Australia are required to have a director identification number (director ID). This is a unique identifier that confirms the director's identity and shows which registered entities they are linked to. Directors must apply for their own director ID, which is free and only needs to be done once. The director ID is kept forever and is not required for each company the individual is a director of.
Statutory and General Law Duties
Directors are subject to statutory duties under a range of statutes, as well as general law duties. These duties include:
- Acting in good faith, with proper purpose, and in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.
- Ensuring the company operates legally and ethically, including meeting its financial obligations and paying taxes and superannuation.
- Exercising care and diligence when making decisions and avoiding conflicts of interest.
- Not misusing their position or confidential information.
- Ensuring the company does not trade while insolvent.
Reporting Obligations
Directors of certain companies, particularly public companies, have reporting obligations such as preparing and filing annual accounts and submitting other information to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The ASIC Regulatory Portal is used for lodging regulatory statements, documents, and transactions.
Company Secretary
The role of a company secretary may be assigned additional responsibilities through the company's constitution. In the absence of a secretary, directors take on these responsibilities, which include ensuring the company notifies ASIC of any changes to its details.
Taxation and Business Registry Laws
Directors are responsible for ensuring timely reporting and payment of their company's tax obligations, as well as maintaining Australian Business Number (ABN) contact and associate details on the Australian Business Registry.
Overall, directors of companies in Australia have extensive regulatory obligations that must be adhered to, with serious penalties for non-compliance. It is important for directors to stay informed and seek guidance where needed to fulfil their duties effectively.
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Corporations Act 2001
The Corporations Act 2001 is part of Australian legislation. It covers a range of topics relating to companies, registered schemes, notified foreign passport funds, and disclosing entities.
One of the key areas addressed in the Act is the role and responsibilities of directors. Directors are required to be actively involved in overseeing the company's affairs and must provide their written consent to be appointed as a director. They are responsible for ensuring timely reporting and payment of their company's tax and superannuation obligations, as well as maintaining Australian Business Number (ABN) details. The Act also outlines the process for appointing directors, with specific provisions for different types of companies, such as proprietary and public companies.
Additionally, the Corporations Act 2001 includes regulations regarding the issuance of shares, mutual capital instruments (MCIs), and voting rights. It grants powers to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to make declarations and orders, and outlines exemptions for auditors and audit firms. The Act also covers the administration of a company's affairs, including the appointment of managing controllers and the execution of deeds of company arrangement.
Furthermore, the legislation addresses information disclosure requirements for listed companies, registered schemes, and notified foreign passport funds. It mandates the provision of substantial holding information and the maintenance of registers detailing relevant interests. The Act also establishes defences against prosecutions and specifies liabilities for proposing or withdrawing bids.
In terms of director identification, the Corporations Act 2001 requires directors of companies, registered Australian bodies, registered foreign companies, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations to obtain a unique director identification number (director ID). This number helps prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities, and individuals must apply for their director ID themselves. It is important to note that while directors must provide their ID to their corporation record-holder, they are not required to provide it to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
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ASIC Connect
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) is Australia's corporate, markets, and financial services regulator. It enforces company and financial services laws and informs the public about Australian companies to protect consumers, investors, and creditors.
Through ASIC Connect, users can search for company names, conduct a company check name availability, and perform a company director search. If the user knows the birth details of a director, this can be used to filter a person name search.
ASIC publishes dates and details of any scheduled service interruptions eight weeks in advance to help customers plan.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find out who the directors of a company in Australia are by performing an ASIC Personal Search. This will provide details about an individual's current and historical directorships or shareholdings in the country.
An ASIC Personal Search is a report that helps verify the legitimacy of an individual by providing details about their current and historical directorships or shareholdings in Australia. It is important for companies looking to make low-risk decisions with businesses and directors.
A director identification number (director ID) is a unique identifier given to directors who have verified their identity. Directors of companies in Australia require a director ID in most instances. You can apply for a director ID online for free.











































