Got a fine?

There are things you can do to stop recovery action against you.

You can:

• pay the fine off in small amounts each fortnight (a payment plan)
• ask for a review of the fine if you don’t think you deserved it
• nominate another driver if you weren’t the one driving your car at the time or responsible for the offence
• apply to have the fine written off if you have serious financial, medical, or domestic problems, or
• clear your fines with a work and development order (WDO).

If you're on a Centrelink payment, like a pension orJobSeeker, you can also:

• apply to have the payments deducted through Centrepay, or
• ask for a reduction in the fine amount if you are eligible.

There are three types of fines and different rules for each type of fine.

• Court fines are given by a judge ormagistrate.
• Fine notices are given out by authorised officerslike a parking inspector, ranger, transit officer orthe police.
• Orders for restitution are issued by VictimsServices NSW.

If you don’t pay your fine, Revenue NSW can take recovery action like:

• ask Transport for NSW to suspend your driver licence or cancel your car registration
• take money from your bank account or wages
• refer your debt to a private debt collection agency
• register an interest on any land or property you may own, or
• order the sheriff to take away the things you own.

Each action taken may add more to your debt.

Recovery action will stop when you:

• make a payment plan with Revenue NSW (some conditions apply), or
• start a work and development order or
• send a write-off application and Revenue NSW has received it.

If your licence was suspended, don't drive until you are sure the suspension has been lifted.

WDO's let you clear your fines by doing activities like unpaid work, counselling, courses or treatment programs with WDO sponsors. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, see the Legal Aid NSW publication Can’t pay your fines?.