NFP director ID

Director Identification Number (ID) requirements for not-for-profit entities

In last month’s edition of Accounting News, we summarised the requirements for director identification numbers, but do these requirements also apply to directors of not-for-profit entities (NFPs)?

The new director identification number (ID) requirements apply to directors of the following types of NFPs:


  • Companies limited by guarantee
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations (i.e. ORIC registered companies)
  • Incorporated associations that have an ARBN (these are ones that register with ASIC under s601CA of Corps Act because they do business in a state other than the one they are incorporated in)
  • Other organisations that are registerable Australian bodies (i.e. registered bodies under s601CA).

Therefore, you do not need a director ID if you are:

  • A company secretary but not a director
  • 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 (CATSI Act)
  • A director of a registered charity that is a type of organisation not registered with ASIC to operate throughout Australia
  • An officer of an unincorporated association, cooperative or incorporated association established under state or territory legislation (provided the organisation is also not a registerable Australian body under s601CA of the Corporations Act).

When do directors need to apply for a director ID?

Directors of NFPs can start applying for their director ID now, with deadlines varying depending on whether the organisation falls under the Corporations Act or the CATSI Act as follows:

Relevant Act

Date of you became a director

Application date

Corporations Act

On or before 31 October 2021

By 30 November 2022

1 November 2021 to 4 April 2022

Within 28 days of appointment

From 5 April 2022

Before appointment

CATSI Act

On or before 31 October 2022

By 30 November 2023

From 1 November 2022

Before appointment

More information

For more information on director ID requirements, please refer to the Australian Business Registry Services website.