Cox Inall Ridgeway is working with Australian Business Registry Services (ABRS), managed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to develop resources about director identification numbers (director ID) to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A director ID is a 15-digit identifier given to a director once they have verified their identity with ABRS.

You will only ever have one director ID, no matter if you change companies, or businesses,  stop being a director or even move interstate or overseas.

It’s free to apply and you must apply for your own director ID. No one can apply on your behalf, including your tax professional.

Related: Powering the Indigenous Economy this 2021 Indigenous Business Month

For directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation companies, who are appointed under the Corporations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (CATSI) Act 2006, how and when you apply for your director ID depends on the date you become a director:

• Before or on 31 October 2022 – by 30 November 2023
• From 1 November 2022 – before the appointment.

The fastest and easiest way to apply for your director ID is online. You will need a myGovID with at least a ‘Standard’ identity strength to log in to ABRS online to apply.

If you don’t have the myGovID app on your smart device, click here to set one up. However, If you cannot set up a myGovID with at least a ‘Standard’ identity strength or do not have the required Australian identity documents to apply online, other options are available.

When you’re ready to apply for your director ID, you will need to gather some documents and information the ATO knows about you.

These include your tax file number (TFN), residential address and information from 2 documents to verify your identity. Examples of the documents are listed here.

Where to get more information?

Cox Inall Ridgeway will be at this year’s National Indigenous Empowerment Summit in Darwin on 2-4 November to provide more information on director ID and to answer some of your questions.

Cox Inall Ridgeway has organised webinars on how to get your director ID on the Indigenous Business Month website. There are two available dates and times with the details listed below.

The first webinar will take place on October 27, 2022, from 1:30 – 2:30 PM (AEST) via Microsoft Teams Webinar.

While the second webinar will be taking place on November 9, 2022, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM (AEST) via Microsoft Teams Webinar.

To register, please click on the link and provide your name and nominated webinar: REGISTER HERE

For more information and resources, contact us at information@coxinallridgeway.com.au or visit the Cox Inall Ridgeway website.

Related: Indigenous Business Month 2020 award winners keeping the sector strong