If you become a director of an Australian company, a Director ID will generally be part of your compliance obligations, even if you live outside Australia. For many foreign based directors, the rule itself is not the hardest part.
The real friction usually appears in the identity verification layer that sits between you and the application.
That is where the process can slow down. Before you even reach the final application step, you may need to deal with MyGovID, document matching, mobile verification, and access continuity.
Understanding that layer before you start can make the whole process easier to manage.
What a Director ID Is
A Director ID is a unique 15 digit identifier that follows an individual director across Australian companies, registered foreign companies, and certain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations.
It is managed by the ABRS, or Australian Business Registry Services.
The goal is to improve accountability and reduce identity related fraud in company administration. Each person receives one Director ID for life, even if they serve on multiple boards over time.
Who Usually Needs a Director ID
You may need a Director ID if you are:
• A director of a company registered with ASIC
• A director of a registered foreign company operating in Australia
• An alternate director in certain situations
• A director of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporation under the CATSI Act
The obligation generally sits with the individual director, not the company. In practice, that means you are usually responsible for making sure the application is completed on time.
Applying Through MyGovID
For most applicants using the online path, reaching Strong identity strength through MyGovID is an important part of the process.
MyGovID is the Australian government’s digital identity app. It verifies your identity by checking personal documents against government records and then assigns an identity strength level based on the documents that match successfully.
Documents commonly used in MyGovID verification
• Australian passport
• Australian driver’s licence or learner’s permit
• Medicare card
• Australian visa, where relevant
• Australian birth certificate
• ImmiCard
• Australian citizenship certificate
You may also need your TFN, or Tax File Number, as part of the broader Director ID process, along with your residential address and details connected to your directorship.
For applicants who do not hold enough Australian issued documents, reaching Strong identity strength online may become difficult.
That is where many foreign directors begin to feel the difference between the official rule and the practical reality of applying from abroad.
Where Foreign Applicants Usually Face Friction
The online process is generally built around Australian documents and Australian digital infrastructure.
That can create more friction for directors who live overseas, have never had a long term Australian identity footprint, or do not currently hold enough local documents.
| Factor | Australian Based Director | Foreign Based Director |
|---|---|---|
| Access to MyGovID documents | Often has 3 or more Australian documents | May have none or only one |
| Identity strength level | More likely to reach Strong quickly | May remain at Basic or Standard |
| Phone number for verification | Usually has a stable Australian mobile number | May rely on an international number or temporary SIM |
| TFN availability | Often already has one | May need to apply separately |
| Alternative application path | Less commonly needed | More likely to need phone or paper options |
| Ongoing access to ABRS services | Usually more straightforward | May depend more on continued account and number access |
The phone number factor can create more friction than many applicants expect. A stable number may help support access continuity across MyGovID and related government services over time.
If that number changes, expires, or stops receiving verification messages, the challenge may continue after the initial application.
That matters because the issue is not always just getting the Director ID once. It is also maintaining access to the digital identity and compliance setup tied to it.
Common Friction Points
Foreign applicants often run into a few recurring problems:
• They cannot reach Strong identity strength because the available documents are not enough for online verification
• They need to apply by phone or paper, which may take longer
• They set up MyGovID with a temporary number and lose access later
• They cannot receive SMS verification codes because the number is no longer active
• They still need to secure a TFN before the rest of the process can move forward smoothly
Preparation Before You Apply
The most useful way to approach this process is to prepare the verification layer before starting the application itself.
Pre application checklist
Before you begin, confirm these points:
• Whether you hold enough Australian issued documents to support MyGovID verification
• Whether you already have a TFN or still need to apply for one
• Whether you have a stable Australian mobile number that is likely to remain active
• Which application path is most realistic for you: online, by phone, or by paper
If you can reach Strong identity strength, the online path is usually the fastest. If not, the phone path through ABRS may be more realistic. The paper form may still work, but it often takes longer.
For the phone number specifically, stability matters more than speed. A number that stays active, receives SMS reliably, and remains linked to your identity over time can reduce one avoidable source of friction.
Maintaining Australian Number Access
For foreign directors, the process does not always end with the initial application. MyGovID, ABRS, and related compliance workflows may still depend on the same identity setup later on.
That is why continuity matters. If you are living abroad and need to keep an Australian mobile number active across verification and compliance steps, a more stable setup can help reduce the risk of losing access later.
For applicants in that situation, VNumber can be a practical way to maintain that continuity while living outside Australia. The value is not that it guarantees approval or replaces the underlying document checks.
The value is that it can help support ongoing access to verification messages and account recovery when the process extends over time.
If you need a stable Australian number for verification, account continuity, and compliance related processes, get your number with VNumber and keep your access active wherever you are:
https://www.vnumber.com/get-your-number
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a Director ID if I live outside Australia?
Yes. Foreign based directors can still apply. If the online route through MyGovID is not workable, a phone or paper path may be available depending on the situation.
Do I need an Australian phone number to get a Director ID?
Not always as a strict rule, but a stable Australian mobile number can make verification and ongoing access easier to maintain, especially if your MyGovID setup depends on it.
What happens if I do not apply for a Director ID?
There can be compliance consequences, including penalties, depending on your circumstances and timing. Because the obligation usually sits with the individual director, it is important not to ignore it.
Can I use someone else’s MyGovID to apply?
No. The Director ID is a personal identifier, so the application needs to be tied to your own verified identity.
How long does the application take?
The online path can be relatively fast if your documents verify smoothly. Phone and paper options often take longer, especially when identity checks or supporting details need more review.
