Victoria Work and Development Permit (clear fines without paying)
Victorians with an infringement fine who are experiencing hardship -- mental illness, addiction, homelessness, family violence or acute financial hardship -- can work off the fine through unpaid work, a course, counselling or treatment instead of paying it, via an approved sponsor agency.
Approved activities count against the fine instead of a payment: unpaid work, an education/training/life-skills course, counselling, or mentoring (for under-25s) count at 0.3 penalty units per hour; treatment from an accredited health practitioner, or drug/alcohol counselling, counts at 6.6 penalty units per month.
Who qualifies
People with a Victorian infringement fine or registered collection and enforcement order who are engaged with (or can engage with) an approved WDP sponsor -- a community agency, doctor or counsellor -- and who have a mental or intellectual disability, disorder or illness; an addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance; are experiencing homelessness or family violence; or are in acute financial hardship.
Eligibility, quoted from the source
“You will have, or be experiencing, one of the following: a mental or intellectual disability, disorder or illness; an addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance; homelessness; family violence; acute financial hardship.”
How to claim
- Check your fine isn't excluded -- e.g. a 7 Day Notice has already expired, or the Sheriff has started enforcement action on it
- Find or confirm an approved WDP sponsor (community agency, doctor or counsellor) via the WDP sponsor list, or ask your existing treatment provider if they're approved
- Ask the sponsor to apply to Fines Victoria on your behalf, naming your qualifying circumstance
- Complete the approved activity (unpaid work, a course, counselling, mentoring or treatment) within the time Fines Victoria sets, to work off the fine
Sources
- https://online.fines.vic.gov.au/Support/Work-and-Development-Permit (accessed 11/3/2026)
- https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/work-and-development-permits (accessed 11/3/2026)
- https://hlip.justiceconnect.org.au/practice-areas/infringements/infringement-notices/work-and-development-permit-scheme/ (accessed 11/3/2026)
Last checked 11/3/2026
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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