Federal parliament passed a bill on Friday forcing company directors to have identification numbers in a bid to stamp out people hiding behind fake names.

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson, a former banker and broker, said the current register was littered with pseudonyms.

It includes the king of rock'n'roll, a reggae legend and Marge Simpson's husband.

"If you go to the business directory and look up company directors you can find Elvis Presley as a company director," Senator Whish-Wilson told parliament on Friday.

"You can find Bob Marley, Homer Simpson and a whole range of interesting people."

He said director IDs would take away the ability for dodgy names to be listed as company directors.

Senator Whish-Wilson hopes it's another step towards a beneficial ownership register, forcing the listing of shell companies and other entities used for corrupt activities like dodging tax.

"The government needs to commit to this, step up and make it happen," he said.

The coalition government announced plans to create a beneficial ownership register in 2016, but the proposal has stalled.

Australian Associated Press