The Australian Securities & Investments Commission announced that the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney convicted two New South Wales directors ex parte on 19 May 2026 for failing to have a director identification number, fining each AUD 10,000. Adam Rana, a director of four companies in the construction and civil works sector, and Joseph Tarzia, a director of 27 companies, many in the construction industry, were convicted of breaching section 1272C(1) of the Corporations Act 2001. A director identification number is a unique identifier issued after identity verification and is intended to prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identities and improve traceability across companies. Failing to have one is a strict liability offence, with a current maximum penalty of 60 penalty units or AUD 19,800. All directors must verify their identity with Australian Business Registry Services before receiving a director ID, and intending new directors have been required to apply before appointment since 5 April 2022. The latest cases bring ASIC's total prosecutions for director ID non-compliance to 11, with more than AUD 40,000 in fines. Rana and Tarzia have until 16 June 2026 to apply to have their convictions set aside.
Australian Securities & Investments Commission2026-06-02
Australian Securities & Investments Commission secures convictions and AUD 10000 fines against two New South Wales directors for failing to obtain director IDs
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission reported that the Downing Centre Local Court convicted two New South Wales directors ex parte for failing to obtain a director identification number, fining each AUD 10,000 for breaching section 1272C(1) of the Corporations Act 2001. ASIC noted that failure to hold a director identification number is a strict liability offence and that these cases bring its total director ID non-compliance prosecutions to 11, with more than AUD 40,000 in fines.