NSW Work and Development Order (clear fines without paying)
NSW residents facing serious hardship, a mental health condition, a disability, homelessness, addiction, or who are under 18 may be eligible to clear overdue fines through approved activities instead of paying, via a Work and Development Order arranged through a sponsor organisation.
A Work and Development Order can reduce a fines debt by up to $1,000 a month.
Who qualifies
People with overdue NSW fines who are experiencing serious financial hardship, a mental health condition, an intellectual or cognitive disability, homelessness, an alcohol or substance use disorder, or who are under 18, and who have a sponsor organisation to supervise the order.
Eligibility, quoted from the source
“To qualify, you must meet at least one of these conditions: experiencing serious financial hardship; experiencing a mental health condition; have an intellectual or cognitive disability; experiencing homelessness; experiencing an alcohol or substance use disorder; under the age of 18.”
How to claim
- Find an approved sponsor organisation (a health practitioner, community group, or other approved body) willing to supervise the order
- Gather supporting evidence of the qualifying hardship, health or life circumstance
- Have the sponsor apply to Revenue NSW for a Work and Development Order on your behalf
- Complete the approved activity (treatment, study, unpaid work, etc.) to reduce the fines debt, up to $1,000 a month
Sources
- https://www.nsw.gov.au/money-and-taxes/fines-and-fees/fines/difficulty-paying-your-fine/work-and-development-order (accessed 10/25/2026)
- https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/my-problem-is-about/fines/work-and-development-orders-wdos (accessed 10/25/2026)
Last checked 10/26/2026
You may be eligible for this, but we can't confirm eligibility or amounts. Always check the official source before you claim.
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