Fines

What can I do if I received a fine for failing to attend jury duty?

You can dispute the fine if you: 

• did attend jury service
  
• were not informed that you needed to attend, or
• had a legitimate reason for not attending jury duty

For more information, see Request a review of your fine on the NSW Government website.

I have received an overdue fine for failure to appear for jury service. What can I do?

If you were too sick or have another legitimate reason why you could not attend jury service, you can apply for a review of the overdue fine.

To do this, you will need to log into the MyEnforcement Order using the fine reference number. You will also need to attach any supporting documentation, which shows why you could not attend.

For more information, see Request a review of your fine on the NSW Government website.

I never received a jury duty notice but have now received an overdue fine for failure to appear for jury service. What can I do?

You may be able to apply for the fine to be decided by the Local Court. 

For more information, see:

• Request a review of your fine on the NSW Government website
• Get your overdue fine reviewed (Jury Duty and Voting Fines) on the NSW Fine Fixer website.

Is voting compulsory?

Yes. It is compulsory to enrol and vote in local government, State and Federal elections. Failure to vote without a valid reason is an offence and there are penalties for not voting.

What can I do if I received a fine for failing to vote in a local government or State election?

If you did not vote at a local government or State election you will receive a fine notice from the NSW Electoral Commission about failing to vote. You can either:

• pay the fine, or
  
• provide a valid reason for not voting.

If you do not respond, the NSW Electoral Commission may send you a further fine notice.

If you do not respond within 28 days to the second notice, the Electoral Commission may refer the matter to Revenue NSW for further action. If the matter is referred to Revenue NSW, you will receive an overdue fine notice. You can dispute the fine if:

• you did vote
• you haven’t received any previous fine notices from the NSW Electoral Commission, or
• you had a legitimate reason for not voting.

For more information, see Request a review of your fine on the NSW Government website.

What can I do if I received a fine for failing to vote in a Federal election?

If you did not vote at a Federal election you will receive a notice from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) about failing to vote. You can either:

• pay the fine, or
• provide a valid and sufficient reason for not voting.

If you do not respond to this notice, AEC will send you a second notice.

If you do not respond to the second notice, AEC may refer the matter to the Local Court for further action.

If you are going to court for failing to vote, you should get legal advice.

Can I be given a camera-detected fine for not wearing a seatbelt or if my passenger is not wearing their seatbelt?

Mobile phone detection cameras were introduced in NSW in 2020. From 1 July 2024, these cameras will also be used to detect seatbelt non-use. These cameras can capture seatbelt non-use by the driver and the front passenger, as well as incorrect use.

There will be no grace period or warning letters issued once the seatbelt detection cameras commence enforcement on 1 July 2024. If you are caught driving without wearing a seatbelt or your passenger is not wearing their seatbelt, or it is worn incorrectly, you may be given a fine.

For more information, see Seatbelt enforcement on the NSW Government website.

Do mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras have to display warning signage before the camera point? 

Mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras in NSW are not required to be marked and you will not be warned as you approach a mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera.

I have a restricted licence (Learner, P1 and P2). Can I use my mobile phone while driving? 

If you have a restricted licence, you are not allowed to use a mobile phone at all while the vehicle is moving or is stationary but not parked. Using your phone includes:

• making calls
  
• sending text messages or emails
  
• using the GPS
  
• playing music
  
• taking photos
  
• searching the internet
  
• using social media
• holding your phone
• looking at your phone. 
  

You are not allowed to use your phone even if:

• you are not holding your phone in your hand
  
• your phone is resting in on any part of your body
  
• your phone is secured in a cradle
  
• you are using hands free (Bluetooth). 
  

To use your phone, you must park your vehicle out of the line of the traffic. Your vehicle is parked when it is stopped and unable to move on its own. You don’t have to take your keys out of the ignition or turn your ignition off. 

You can use your phone to show the police your digital driver licence if your vehicle is stationary. You must wait for the Police Officer to ask for your licence before you touch your mobile phone.

If you touch your mobile phone before the police officer asks you to produce your licence you may be fined.

You can use the wallet functions on your phone, for example tap and pay, if your vehicle is stationary and off the road in a carpark, driveway or drive thru. 

If you are caught using your mobile phone while driving, you may be given a fine and demerit points, and you may lose your licence.

I have an unrestricted licence. Can I use my mobile phone while driving?

If you have an unrestricted licence, you can use your phone while driving if it is secured in a cradle or operating via hands free (Bluetooth). You are allowed to:

• make or receive phone calls
  
• play music.
  

You are only allowed to use your phones GPS if it is secured in a cradle. 

You can use the wallet functions on your phone, for example tap and pay, if your vehicle is stationary and off the road in a carpark, driveway or drive thru. 

You must not text message, email, or use social media unless your vehicle is parked out of the line of traffic. That is, it is stopped out of the line of the traffic and unable to move on its own. You don’t have to take your keys out of the ignition or turn your ignition off. 

If you are caught using your mobile phone while driving, you may be given a fine and demerit points, and you may lose your licence. 

The police gave me a fine for speeding. Do the police have to show me proof I was speeding?

Police do not have to show you proof on the spot. If you do not believe you were speeding you have the option of applying to go to court to challenge the fine. Think about what evidence you have to support your case. 

Before you apply to go to court, you should get legal advice.

Do unmarked mobile speed cameras have to display warning signs?

Mobile speed cameras operating in NSW are required to be marked and you will be warned as you approach a mobile speed camera. The cameras are located inside the car and set up at changing locations, often by the side of the road. 

Mobile phone detection cameras are not required to be marked or have warning signage as you approach.

For more information, see Mobile speed cameras FAQs on the Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety website.

Can unmarked mobile speed cameras be parked on footpaths?

Drivers of unmarked mobile speed cameras are exempt from road rules which make it an offence for drivers to drive or park on nature strips or dividing strips. 

A driver who is conducting traffic enforcement operations can drive on these areas if:

• the driver is taking reasonable care and
• it is reasonable that the driver should be exempt.

These exemptions do not apply to footpaths. 

Will I get demerit points for a parking offence?

Certain parking offences carry points as well as fines, including:

• Stop in intersection
• Stop within 20m of intersection (traffic lights)
• Stop within 10m of intersection (no traffic lights)
• Stop on/near children's crossing
• Stop on/near pedestrian crossing
• Stop on/near marked foot crossing
• Stop near bicycle crossing lights
• Stop on/near level crossing
• Stop in parking area for disabled.

To find out whether an offence carries any demerit points, see Search offences and penalties on the Transport for NSW website.

If you are not sure how many demerit points you have, see Check your demerit points on the Service NSW website.

Can a Local Council Officer issue demerit points?

Local council officers may issue fines for certain offences. The demerit points that apply to an offence are set by legislation.

If you receive a fine for an offence that carries demerit points, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) (formerly known as Roads and Maritime Services or RMS) will apply the demerit points to your licence.

If you want to know whether an offence carries any demerit points, see Search offences and penalties on the TfNSW website.

If you are not sure how many demerit points you have, see Check your demerit points on the Service NSW website.

Is it illegal to leave my car unlocked or to leave the windows down when I leave the vehicle?

Yes. It is an offence to leave car doors unlocked or the windows unsecured. 

If you are the driver, you must secure your windows and lock the doors if:

• you are more than three metres from your car
• your vehicle is on a road, and 
• there is nobody left in the car.

If you commit this offence you may get a fine.

If you want to dispute the offence, you should get legal advice.

Do I have to turn off the engine or remove the key from the ignition if I am leaving my car?

Before leaving your car, you must apply the brakes. If you leave your car on a road and you will be over 3 metres away from the vehicle, you must switch off the engine.

If you will be over 3 metres away from your car and there is nobody left in the vehicle, or there is only a child under 16 left in the vehicle, you must also remove the key from the ignition.

If you fail to do any of these things you may be committing an offence and may get a fine.

Can I receive a fine for not securing my car if my car was in a petrol station or a car park?

Yes. You can receive a fine for disobeying any of the road rules while your vehicle is in:

• an area that is open to or used by the public, and
  
• that area is developed for, or mainly used for, the driving or riding of motor vehicles. 
  

This may include car parks and petrol stations, even if they are privately owned.

If you want to dispute the offence, you should get legal advice.

What happens if my car is towed and I don't pay the towing invoice?

If your car has been towed from a tow-away area, or your motorbike has been moved out of a tow-away area onto the footpath, you will receive an invoice for the tow. This is not a fine.

It is an offence not to pay the tow-away charge within the time specified by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

If you do not pay the tow-away charge invoice, you will be given a fine notice.

The tow-away charge invoice is included in the fine notice amount. This means that you only have to pay the fine notice. You do not also have to pay the invoice. If you want to dispute the invoice you can:

• complete the Towing Dispute Online Form on the TfNSW website
  
• send an email to TSS.RMSTowing@transport.nsw.gov.au
  
• post a letter to PO Box 533 BURWOOD NSW 1805.
  

The tow-away invoice is separate to any fine issued by the police or Local Council. 

If you pay the tow-away charge invoice after the fine notice is issued you will be refunded the charge as the fine notice needs to be paid to Revenue NSW.

For more information, see If your car gets towed on the TfNSW website.

What is an e-scooter?

An e-scooter is a vehicle with a footboard set between front and back wheels, steered by handlebars and powered by an electric motor. 

What is the e-scooter trial?

In response to the growing popularity of e-scooters and the need to safely manage their use, Transport for NSW is running a trial where e-scooters can be hired through an approved e-scooter provider and ridden in certain locations. .

Personal e-scooters are still illegal on NSW roads and road-related areas, such as footpaths and bicycle lanes. They can only be used legally on private property.

For more information and updates on the trial locations, see E-scooters on the Transport for NSW website.

How long is the trial and how do I participate?

The trial will run from 22 July 2022 for 36 months. 

You can hire and ride an e-scooter through an approved e-scooter provider in a trial location. 

Where are the e-scooter trial locations and what are the rules in each location?

E-scooter trial locations may be updated at any time and the rules may vary in each trial location. For more information and updates on the trial locations, see E-scooters on the Transport for NSW website.

Can I ride my own e-scooter in the trial location?

No. Privately owned e-scooters are not allowed on NSW roads or related areas, including the trial locations. There are penalties for having an unregistered, uninsured and unlicensed motor vehicle. 

What is the minimum age to use an e-scooter in the trial?

You must be at least 16 years old to ride an e-scooter at the current trial locations.  

Can I ride an e-scooter on the footpath in the trial location?

No. There are fines for riding an e-scooter on footpaths.

Do I need to wear a helmet?

Yes, you must wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding an e-scooter. There are fines for not wearing a helmet. 

Can I ride outside of the trial locations?

No. There are fines for riding an e-scooter outside of the trial area.

Where can I find out more information about the trial?

To find out more information about the trial, including the offences that may apply, see E-scooters on the Transport for NSW website. 

Can I get a fine for drug possession?

Under the Early Drug Diversion Initiative, NSW Police may issue a fine or penalty notice for certain low-level drug offences.

A low-level drug offence involves possessing a small quantity of illegal drugs for personal use. A small quantity may include up to: 

• one gram of cocaine 
• one gram of methylamphetamines (ice or speed) 
• one gram of heroin 
• 0.75 grams of MDMA in a tablet 
• 0.25 grams of MDMA in other forms. 

The police can only give you two fines for low-level drug offences. After this, they will have to charge you and take you to court. 

The police can’t give you a fine under the Early Drug Diversion Initiative for: 

• serious drug offences, including drug supply, importation, or manufacture – if you have prior convictions for serious drug offences you also can’t get a fine 
• drug driving offences 
• offences related to cannabis – the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme applies to these offences 
• possessing more than one type of drug (excluding cannabis) 
• possessing more than a small quantity of drugs. 

For more information, see Early Drug Diversion Initiative on the NSW Government website. 

What are my options to deal with a fine for a drug offence?

If you receive a fine for a low-level drug offence, you can: 

• pay the fine, or 
• speak to a health professional and complete a drug health intervention instead of paying the fine. 

You need to book an appointment with a health professional before the due date of the fine. You can do this: 

• online 
• by calling St Vincent’s Health Network on 1800 844 881 between 10am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. 

Speaking to a health professional is free and confidential.  

Once you have completed the drug health intervention, Revenue NSW will be notified to cancel your fine. 

If you pay the fine or complete the drug health intervention, the fine will not appear on your criminal record.

For more information about how to pay your fine, see Pay your fine on the My Problem is About section of our website. 

I received a fine for drug possession. Will this appear on my criminal record?

Instead of taking you to court, police might give you an on the spot fine (sometimes called a Criminal Infringement Notice) for drug possession.

If you pay the fine or complete a drug health intervention, the offence will not be on your criminal record. It may appear on your criminal infringement history.

If you dispute the offence by having your fine heard in court and you are convicted of the offence, it will be on your criminal record.

If you want to dispute the offence, you should get legal advice.

Can I be fined if my passenger is using Facetime?

Yes. It is an offence to drive a vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit operating in the vehicle if the image on the screen is:

• visible to the driver from the normal driving position
  
• likely to distract another driver.
  

A television receiver or visual display unit may include a: 

• mobile phone
  
• tablet
  
• laptop
  
• digital watch
  
• eBook reader
  
• children's handheld game console. 

If you are driving a vehicle while a passenger is using Facetime, YouTube or any other program on their phone and the screen is visible to you in the driver's seat or is distracting, you may be fined. 

Can I be fined for littering from a motor vehicle?

Yes, it is an offence to litter from a motor vehicle.

If you litter from a motor vehicle you may be fined.

How do I report littering from a motor vehicle?

If you saw someone litter from a motor vehicle, you can report it to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

To report littering from a vehicle, you need to:

• see the person throw the item
  
• provide the car registration number
• provide details of the location where it happened
• report the incident within 14 days.
  

You can make the report online on the NSW EPA website.

The first time you make a report to the EPA, you will need to register and create an account. When you make a report, you must be prepared to attend court as a witness if required.

It is a crime to provide false or misleading information.

For more information, see Reporting pollution from motor vehicles on the EPA website.

What is a temporary banning order?

A temporary banning order is an order made by police banning someone from entering a licensed premise for up to 48 at hours.

An order can be made where a person:

• refuses or fails to comply with a ‘move-on’ direction to leave a licensed premises or public place in the vicinity of a licensed premises, 
  
• fails to leave a licensed premises after being required to do so because they are intoxicated, violent, quarrelsome, or disorderly, or
  
• does not follow certain rules relating to the non-voluntary exclusion of persons from licenses premises.
  

The police must be satisfied that the persons conduct is likely to continue and cause a public nuisance or risk to public safety. 

A temporary banning order can be made on the spot. 

The maximum penalty for breaching a temporary banning order is $5,500, or an on the spot fine of $550. 

What is a long-term banning order?

A long-term banning order is an order made by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority Board (ILGA) banning someone from entering a high-risk venue for up to 12 months. 

All applications for long-term banning orders are made by the Commissioner of Police to ILGA. 

The ILGA can make an order where it is satisfied that a person has been:

• charged, or found guilty of, a serious indictable offence involving alcohol-related violence, or
  
• issued with three temporary banning orders during a 12-month period. 
  

The ILGA must notify the person of the application and give them a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the board about the application.  

If an order is made, the person is banned from entering any high-risk venue for the period specified in the order. 

The maximum penalty for breaching a long-term banning order is a fine of $11,000, or an on-the-spot fine of $2,200. 

A person can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for a review of the ILGA’s decision. 

An order that is made on the basis that the person has been charged, or found guilty of, a serious indictable offence involving alcohol-related violence will be revoked if the charge is withdrawn or dismissed, or the finding is overturned on appeal. 

For more information about banning orders, see Prescribed precincts on the Liquor and Gaming NSW website. 

What can I do if I have received a fine?

If you have received a fine, your options will depend on where your fine is up to, for example, whether it is the initial fine, fine reminder notice or overdue fine notice.

If your fine is a toll notice from Sydney Motorways, different options apply in the early stages. 

For more information, see Toll notices on the Transport for NSW website.

For most fines, the options to respond include: 

Can I get a fine notice electronically?

Yes. You can be sent a fine notice electronically to your e-mail address if you provided these details voluntarily at the time of the alleged offence. 

How do I know if it is a fine notice, fine reminder notice or overdue fine notice?

The top of the notice will usually state what it is, for example, a fine reminder notice or overdue fine. You should read your notice carefully as it will outline the details of your fine and the options you have in dealing with it. Your options will vary depending on where your fine is up to.

What is the difference between a fine notice, fine reminder notice and overdue fine notice?

A fine notice is the first notice you receive. You may have received it in person, or it may have been sent to your postal address or e-mail address. If you do not respond or deal with your fine notice by the due date, or within 21 days of the date you were served with it if there is no due date, Revenue NSW will send you a fine reminder notice.

If you don't respond to the fine reminder notice within 28 days of the date it was issued, it becomes an overdue fine. An additional fee will be added to the fine amount.

What is a Criminal Infringement Notice?

A Criminal Infringement Notice (CIN) is sometimes used to mean an on-the-spot fine issued by the police for a minor criminal offence, such as shoplifting or offensive language.

If you receive a CIN and pay the fine, a conviction will not be recorded on your criminal record. The fine may appear on your criminal infringement history.

If you don't respond to the notice by the due date, or within 21 days of the date you were served if there is no due date, a fine reminder notice is sent to you. Your options in responding to the notice are the same as if it is a fine notice.

If you apply to have the fine heard in the Local Court, the Court must deal with your matter as if you were charged with an offence instead of issued a fine. You could get a higher penalty and a criminal conviction. You should get legal advice before applying to have your fine decided in a Local Court.

How can I get more details about the offence? 

If you want to find out more information about your fine you can:

• contact the issuing authority, for example, the police or Local Council
  
• contact Revenue NSW, for example, to find out what authority issued the fine, or when it was issued
  
• if it was a camera-detected offence, you should look at the photographs. To view the photos taken in relation to your fine, see myPenalty on the Revenue NSW website.
  

It is important that you respond to your notice by the due date.

If you are not sure what to do, or can't recall details of the offence, you should get legal advice. 

What if the details on the fine are incorrect?

Fines do not automatically become invalid if some of the details are incorrect. It depends on what details are incorrect and whether they are critical to if you will be held legally responsible for the offence.

A fine is not automatically invalid because of a misspelling of a name or an error in a date of birth. 

If you want to dispute your fine because the details are incorrect, you should get legal advice. 

How can I get access to the photo?

If you were given a fine for a camera-detected offence, for example speeding or going through a red light, you can view the camera image and details online for free using myPenalty on the Revenue NSW website. 

You will need your fine notice number, the date of the offence and registration details. 

If you want to purchase a copy of the photograph you can write a letter to Revenue NSW with your request. You need to: 

• be named on the fine notice (or have a lawful interest in the offence)
  
• provide details of your fine notice and registration number
  
• include a money order or cheque to cover the fee payable.
  

Copies of photos are not accepted as evidence in court.  

For more information, see View a camera image of your offence on the NSW Government website.

Will the photo show who was driving?

The image will usually show:

• the vehicle’s model
• number plate
• speed
• the lane the vehicle is in.

The image may not include a clear picture of the driver. 

Can I use the photo as evidence if I go to court?

If you apply for a copy of the photo from Revenue NSW, or print the photo you view online, you won't be able to use it as evidence if you are having your matter dealt with by the Local Court.

If you plead not guilty, the prosecutor will rely on the official image from the cameras as evidence against you. This image will have a security indicator on it that shows it hasn't been altered. On the day of the hearing you will usually be shown this image from the prosecutor before they hand it up to the magistrate. 

For more information about the court process, including how a hearing works, see the Crime topic. 

For more information, see View a camera image of your offence on the NSW Government website.

What if I was not driving?

If you have been given a fine notice or fine reminder notice for a camera detected offence, and you were not driving at the time of the offence, you must nominate the driver. You may be committing an offence if you do not nominate the driver.

You can do this:

• online, or
• in writing by completing a Nomination.

You will need to provide:

• the name of the driver
• the address of the driver
• the date of birth of the driver
• the driver licence number, and country that issued the driver licence if the person has a foreign driver licence. 

To nominate the driver online, see Nominate someone else for a fine on the NSW Government website. 

For a copy of a Nomination form, see Forms on the Revenue NSW website.

In some circumstances you must use a Statutory Declaration, for example when the person does not have an Australian driver licence.

Before you nominate the driver, make sure you have the correct information. It is a serious offence to make a false nomination. Penalties apply, including additional fines and restrictions on your driver licence.

You should nominate the other driver before the due date on your fine reminder notice. If you have already paid the fine (before the fine reminder notice was issued) and you want to nominate another driver, you have up to 90 days from the date the fine notice was served.

If the time limit to nominate has expired, you can still nominate the person responsible, but Revenue NSW can refuse to accept late nominations. If you want to nominate another driver but are out of time, you should get legal advice.

If you have an overdue fine, you may need to apply to have your overdue fine withdrawn if you weren't the driver at the time of the offence. You will have to pay a fee to do this. Sometimes, even if you can prove to the Court that you were not the driver, you can still be held responsible for the offence.

Before taking an overdue fine to court, you should get legal advice.

For more information, see Name the driver on the My problem is about section of our website.

What if I don't know who was driving or don't have the driver's details?

If you have received a fine for a camera-detected offence and you weren't the driver at the time of the offence you need to nominate who was responsible for the vehicle before the due date on your notice.

You need to provide:

• the name of the driver
• the address of the driver
• the date of birth of the driver
• the driver licence number, and the country that issued the driver licence if the person has a foreign driver licence.

If you don’t know who was driving, or don’t have their details, you can:

• log into myPenalty to see whether you can identify the driver in the photographs taken by the camera
  
• ask the other driver(s) whether they were driving your vehicle at the time of the offence, if more than one person drives your vehicle
• ask your friend or family member who was driving, if you had loaned your vehicle to them at the time of the offence.

If you still can’t find out who was driving your car, you can ask Revenue NSW to review the fine.

If you don't do this by the due date on your fine notice or fine reminder notice you can be fined for failing to nominate the driver. 

It is a defence if you did not know, and could not have found out using reasonable diligence, who the driver was.

If you are the Director of a company you have a legal obligation to nominate who was driving.

If you don't have these details, or don't know who was driving you should get legal advice.

For more information, see Name the driver on the My problem is about section of our website.

What if I receive a fine for failing to nominate the driver?

If you are the registered owner of a vehicle and you have been fined for a camera detected offence, but you weren't driving the vehicle at the time of the offence, you have a responsibility to tell Revenue NSW who was driving. You must do this within 21 days of receiving the notice. The law assumes you have received the notice seven days after it was posted to you.

If you don't, you may be fined for failing to nominate the person responsible and you may also have to pay the original fine. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) (formerly known as Roads and Maritime Services or RMS) may also apply any demerit points to your licence. 

If a company vehicle is fined for a camera-detected offence, the 'person responsible' (usually the director of the company) can receive a fine for failing to nominate the driver by the due date on a fine notice. If a company repeatedly fails to nominate who was driving, Revenue NSW can suspend the registration of the vehicle and/or restrict the company's dealings with TfNSW. The 'person responsible' will also have the demerits added to their licence. 

If you are the 'person responsible' and you don't have records of who was driving at the time of the offence you should get legal advice. It is best to do this before the due date on your fine notice so that you may be able to avoid a fine for failing to nominate the driver.

For more information, see Name the driver on the My problem is about section of our website.

What if I have been falsely nominated?

If you have received a letter or fine from Revenue NSW that you have been nominated as the driver or person responsible for a driving or parking offence, you should consider whether you did commit the offence.

If you did commit the offence, see Fines for options for dealing with your fine.

If you believe you did not commit the offence and have been falsely nominated, you should contact Revenue NSW as soon as possible and provide evidence that shows you could not have been responsible.

Can I agree to be nominated if I was not the driver or person responsible for the offence?

It is an offence to offer or agree to have your details used in a nomination notice relating to various driving and parking offences if you were not actually driving or in charge of the vehicle at the time of the offence.

What is a notice of disposal?

A notice of disposal is a form you fill in to transfer the registration of your car to another person. If you sell or give your car away, you must immediately complete the notice of disposal form and give it to the new owner.

You can complete the notice of disposal online or in a Service NSW centre. It is not possible to submit an online notice of disposal in some circumstances.

For more information, see Submit a notice of disposal for a vehicle on the Service NSW website.

What happens if I don't do a notice of disposal? 

If you don’t do a notice of disposal, the car will remain registered to you. This means you could be sent fines and toll notices incurred by other drivers of the car and may be held responsible for them.

A car is registered in my name but someone else has the car. I keep getting fines even though I am not driving it. What can I do?

You may still be able to remove yourself as the registered owner of the car. Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has the power to transfer the registration even if you or the new owner didn’t follow the requirements for disposing of or acquiring the vehicle, if TfNSW thinks it is appropriate to do so.

If you are unable to remove yourself as the registered owner, you should get legal advice.

I was driving a work vehicle and got a fine. Do I have to pay the fine or does my employer?

An on the spot fine will be addressed to you as the driver. A camera-detected offence or parking fine will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, which is usually your employer.

Your employer will then nominate you as the driver and the fine will be sent to you. You are then responsible for the fine.

If you think you were not the driver, you can nominate another person.

In some cases, an employer may be willing to pay for the fine. You can discuss this with your employer. Revenue NSW will see you as responsible for a fine in your name. If you think your employer should pay for the fine, you should get legal advice.

Can I apply for someone to deal with my fines on my behalf?

If you would like another person to be able to deal with Revenue NSW about your fines, you can complete an Authority to Act form, either in writing or online. If your form is accepted by Revenue NSW, your authorised person will be able to act on your behalf.

For more information, see Authorise someone else on the NSW Government website.

What can I do if Revenue NSW asks me to pay a written off fine? 

Revenue NSW can ask you to pay a written off fine if you receive a new overdue fine notice or your financial circumstances improve within five years. 

You may not be required to pay a written off fine if:

• you have already completed a Work and Development Order
• you are under a management order with the NSW Trustee & Guardian
• you are not capable of paying the fine in the near future due to your financial, medical and personal circumstances.

If you have a written off fine and your circumstances change within five years, you should get legal advice.

What if I have a fine from NSW but live in another State or Territory?

If you have a NSW fine, Revenue NSW will manage your fine until they receive full payment.  If you are living interstate, you may have the option of paying by instalment or applying for a WDO if you meet the criteria.

If your fine becomes an overdue fine, it can be referred by Revenue NSW to the relevant agency in your home State or Territory. That agency can take enforcement action against you, for example, suspension of your driver licence if the fine remains unpaid.

If you want to dispute the overdue fine you will need to do this with Revenue NSW. If you do this, Revenue NSW will notify the relevant agency in your state or territory.

If you have two or more unpaid fines relating to traffic or parking offences in NSW, Transport for NSW (formerly known as Roads and Maritime Services or RMS) can suspend your visitor driving privileges meaning that you won't legally be able to drive in NSW. 

For more information, see the Licence suspensions and disqualifications topic.

What if I have lost my fine notice or overdue fine notice? 

You should contact Revenue NSW for information about your fine notice or overdue fine. 

How long does Revenue NSW have to collect or enforce a fine?

There is usually a time limit for an agency to issue a fine. For most road transport offences, this time limit is six months.

There is no time limit for Revenue NSW to enforce a fine if the fine was issued within the relevant time limit of the issuing body. This means that Revenue NSW can enforce fines that may have been issued many years ago.

Will Revenue NSW write off my fine if I have received a payment under the NSW Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme and Funeral Assistance Fund from Aboriginal Affairs?

If you received a reparations payment or a funeral assistance payment through Aboriginal Affairs NSW, Revenue NSW may put your fine on hold or write off your fine.

You can give permission to Aboriginal Affairs NSW to contact Revenue NSW on your behalf or speak to an advocate at Revenue NSW.

Call Aboriginal Affairs NSW on 1800 019 998 or email stolengenerations@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au 

For more information, see NSW Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme and Funeral Assistance Fund Fact Sheet – Fines Information on the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website. 

Will Revenue NSW write off my fine if I have received a payment under the National Redress Scheme?

If you have received a payment under the National Redress Scheme, Revenue NSW may be able to hold your fine or write off your fine. 

You can give permission to the National Redress Scheme to contact Revenue NSW on your behalf or speak to an advocate at Revenue NSW.

You can call the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377.

When c​a​n I apply ​​fo​r a review?

You can apply for a review of your fine if you have received a fine notice or been served with a fine reminder notice.

You ​can apply for a review if you:

• believe you did not commit the offence, or
• want the circumstances considered.

You can ask for a review even if you have paid the fine.

You shouldn't apply for a review if you weren't driving at the time of a camera detected offence, you should nominate the driver. For more information, see the FAQ 'What if I was not driving?', above. 

For more information on when you can apply for a review when you have an overdue fine, see Request a review on the My problem is about section of our website. 

Who ca​n apply for​​ a review?

​Anyone can apply for a review of their fine.

However, Revenue NSW is unlikely to issue a caution or cancel a fine where the offence involved a safety risk, for example:    

• school zone speeding offences
• driving whilst using a mobile phone
• burnout offences
• seatbelt offences
• speeding 30km/hr over the limit.

There are circumstances in which Revenue NSW might be more willing to review the matter favourably, for example, minor parking or speeding offences if you have a 10 year clear driving record.

For more information, see Request a review on the My problem is about section of our website. 

You shouldn't apply for a review if you weren't driving the vehicle at the time of a camera detected offence, you should nominate the driver.

How do I ​​apply for ​​​a review?

 You can apply for a review:    

•  online through myPenalty on the Revenue NSW website
  
• by writing a letter to Revenue NSW, or
  
• by phone.
  

For more information, see Request a review on the My problem is about section of our website. 

What happens ​after I ap​ply for a review?

​If you request a review of your fine, Revenue NSW will consider your request and notify you within 42 days of its decision. 

Revenue NSW may decide to:    

• confirm that the fine still stands - you will have to pay it or consider other options
  
• give you a caution (you won't have to pay the fine or get the demerits), or 
  
• cancel the fine (you won't have to pay the fine or get the demerits). ​

For more information, see Request a review on the My problem is about section of our website. 

What if I am unsuccessful in the review?

If you apply for a review and​ Revenue NSW confirms that your fine still stands, you can:     

• pay the fine in full by the due date on your notice
• pay the fine by part payments (up until the due date on your fine reminder notice)
• ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court - your time limit in doing this will depend on whether a fine reminder notice has been served: 
  • ​if a fine reminder notice has not been served - you have up to 28 days from the date of the review decision to ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court
  • if a fine reminder notice has been served -you have until the due date on your notice to ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court.

If your fine becomes an overdue fine, you can apply for the overdue fine to be reviewed. If your application is s​​uccessful, your matter will be referred to the Local Court.​

For more information, see Request a review on the My problem is about section of our website. 

Can I apply for a review if I have paid part of my fine?

You can apply for a review at any time u​p until the due date on your fine reminder notice, including if you have paid part of your fine. 

If you haven’t paid the fine in full by the due date on the fine notice reminder, you will be given an overdue fine. 

For more information, see Request a review on the My problem is about section of our website. 

Can I apply for a​ revie​w if I have paid the fine in full?

If you paid your fine in full before you received a fine reminder notice, you have up to 60 days from the date your fine notice was issued to apply for a review.

If you paid your fine in full after you received a fine reminder notice, you can ask for a review up until the due date in the fine reminder notice.

If you are out of time to ask for a review, you have up to 90 days fr​om the due date on your fine notice to ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court. 

For more information, see Request a review on the My problem is about section of our website. 

Will I get demerits if I get​​ a caution after a review?

No, if Revenue NSW gives you a caution, you won't have to pay the fine, and the demerits won't be added to your licence.

How do I dispute my fine o​r have my matter heard in c​ourt? 

If you have a fine notice or fine reminder notice, you can dispute the fine and have the matter heard in court. You must complete a separate court application for each fine you wish to dispute. There is no application fee to apply to go to court.

You can do this:  

• online through myPenalty on the Revenue NSW website
  
• in writing, by completing the form - Go to court and sending it to Revenue NSW.
  

Overdue fines can also be taken to court, but only in certain circumstances. You will need to apply to Revenue NSW for review and explain why the overdue fine notice should be withdrawn and the matter sent to court. This explanation could include why you didn’t deal with the fine before it became overdue. Revenue NSW will review the fine and in some cases, it may be withdrawn. In other cases, the overdue fine notice will be withdrawn and the fine will be sent to the court to determine. 

For more information about how to have your fine heard in court, including sample forms, see Go to court on the My problem is about section of our website.

What should I consider​ before deciding whether to take my fine to court?

Before you decide to have your matter heard in the Local Court you should consider:

• why you want the matter decided by the court, for example, is it because the fine amount is too high and you can't afford it, or because you want to dispute that you committed the offence
  
• whether you have a legal argument to dispute the offence - you should get legal advice about this
  
• other options that might be suitable if you can't afford to pay the fine, for example payment by instalments
  
• the location of the Court as it will usually be listed at a court closest to where the offence occurred
  
• the time required to deal with the matter in Court, for example, time off work, and to prepare your case
  
• the risk that the Court might give you a higher penalty, in addition to court costs and the victims support levy
  
• the risk that the Court will convict you, which will result in a conviction on your criminal record
• that the Court doesn't have power to vary the demerits for an offence if you are convicted (an exception to this is if you get a section 10 as this will mean your matter is dismissed without a penalty, including demerits)
  
• it may not be possible to withdraw your application or change your mind once you make the decision to have your matter decided by the Local Court.

For more information, see Go to court on the My problem is about section of our website.

Before deciding to have your fine heard in court, you should get legal advice.

Does ​the Court ​​​have pow​​er to reduce demerit points?

The Court can't reduce demerit points if you plead guilty or are convicted of the offence. An exception to this is if you get a section 10 as this will mean your matter is dismissed without a penalty, including demerits. 

For more information about section 10, see the Crime topic.

Can I dispute several fines using the same application form?

If you have a fine notice or fine reminder notice and you want to dispute ​the fine, or have the matter heard in court, you can apply to have the matter decided in court. You must complete a separate court application for each fine you wish to dispute. There is no application fee to apply to go to court.

Can I dispute my fine i​​f ​​​I have paid part of the fine?

If you have paid part of your fine but not all, you can still ask for a review or apply for the matter to be decided by the Local Court.

If you have paid part of the fine you have:

• up to 90 days when the fine notice was served to nominate another driver (as long as no fine reminder notice has been issued)
• up to 60 days from when the fine notice was served to apply for a review (as long as no fine reminder notice has been issued)
• up to 90 days from when the fine notice was served to ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court.
  

What if I've paid my​​​ fine in full but want to dispute it or have it​​ heard in court?

If you have paid the total amount of your fine by the due date, you can:

• apply for the fine to be reviewed by Revenue NSW - you have up to 60 days from the date your fine notice was served to do this, or
• apply for the matter to be decided by the Local Court - you have up to 90 days from the date your fine notice was served to make this request. You need to apply through myPenalty on the Revenue NSW website.

If you were given a fine remind​er notice, you have until the due date of that notice to:    

• ask for a review
  
• apply to the Local Court to decide your matter.
  

If you have paid your fine but want to have it reviewed or heard in court, you should get legal advice about your circumstances.

For more information, see Go to court on the My problem is about section of our website.

Can I apply to take the fine to court even if I admit the offence? 

You can apply to take your fine to court even if you admit to the offence. If you plead guilty, the Court can take into account any mitigating circumstances, and your personal circumstances, for example, your family, work and financial position.

Although the​ Court has power to reduce the penalty, it also has the power to impose a higher penalty than the original fine amount. It could also result in a conviction on your criminal record.

The Court can also order you to pay court costs a​nd the victims support levy. 

For more information about these costs, see the Crime topic.

Before deciding to take a fine to court, you should get legal advice. 

Can I wi​​thdraw my application to have my fine go to court? 

If you asked for your matter to be heard in court but you haven't been given a court date, you should contact Revenue NSW urgently to check whether your Court Attendance Notice (CAN) has ​been prepared. If it hasn't, you can discuss with them withdrawing your application to go to court. You may need to put your request in writing.

If you have been given a court date, or a CAN has been prepared, you will not be able to withdraw your application. 

If a CAN has been issued, it is too late to withdraw.

You ​should get legal advice about preparing for your court date.

How do I a​pply for my overdue fine to go to court?

If you have been served with an overdue fine notice and you want the matter decided by the Local Court, you can apply to Revenue NSW. You should explain why the overdue fine notice should be withdrawn and the fine sent to court. This could be an explanation for why you didn't deal with the fine by the due date.

Before sending your fine to court, Revenue NSW will review your fine if it hasn’t already.

If your application is successful, your fine m​ay be withdrawn.

If you meet the criteria, Revenue NSW will withdraw the overdue fine and send the fine to court to be determined.

If your fine is not withdrawn the matter will be listed at the Local Court closest to where the offence happened.

If your application is refused, you will have a further 28 days to pay the fine or arrange an instalment plan before enforcement action recommences.

You may appeal Revenue NSW's decision to refuse your application t​o the Local Court within 28 days from the date of the refusal letter. 

Before appealing, you should get legal advice about your circumstances.

For more information about how to apply and what Revenue NSW will consider in deciding whether to grant your application, see What if I do nothing? on the My problem is about section of our website. 

Can I appeal my court fine?

If you were convicted of an offence at court and given a fine, you may be able to appeal to the District Court within 28 days or three months with the leave (permission) of the Court.

Before filing an appeal, you should get legal advice.

For more information, see Appeals and annulments on the My problem is about section of our website.

I missed court and was given a fine. What can I do?

If you missed court and were given a fine, you can apply to have the decision annulled (cancelled) within two years.

You can’t apply to have a decision annulled if you filed a Written Notice of Pleading or if you were in court when you were convicted and sentenced.

Before you apply for an annulment, you should get legal advice.

For more information, see Appeals and annulments on the My problem is about section of our website.

Can I​​​ use Centre​pa​y ​​​to pay my fines?

If you are on a Centrelink benefit, such as Newstart or Austudy, you can arrange for instalments to be deducted from your payment through Centrepay even before the due date of the fine reminder notice.

You can apply to pay by Centrepay by contacting Revenue NSW or by completing a payment plan application.

To get a blank copy of the Payment Plan Application, see Set up a payment plan on the NSW Government website.

You should arrange this with Revenue NSW before the due date on your fine reminder notice, so you don't have to pay the additional enforcement fee.

For more information, see Pay your fine on the My problem is about section of our website.

What​​​ i​​​​f I can't ​afford t​o pay my fine? 

If you have received a fine and you can't afford to pay it, you can:    

• pay by instalments
  
• pay instalments by Centrepay, if you are on Centrelink benefits - if you do this before your fine becomes an overdue fine Revenue NSW will waive the overdue fine fee they normally add. You should contact Revenue NSW to set this up
• apply for a Work and Development Order
• apply for a fine reduction
• request a review
• apply for your fine to be written off or postponed
• apply to have your fine decided in court.

For more information, see Fines on the My problem is about section of our website.

If you have an overdue fine, you can:   

• apply to pay by instalments
• ask for more time to pay
• apply for a Work and De​​​velopment Order, if you have mental health, drug and/or alcohol issues, or if you are experiencing economic hardship. For more information, see Difficulty paying your fine on the NSW Government website. 
• apply for your fines to be written off or postponed.

For more information, see What if I do nothing? on the My problem is about section of our website.

Can I pay a fine by instalments? 

If you can pay the full amount owing within three months, you can pay your fine by making part payments, up until the due date on your fine reminder notice. You must pay a minimum of $40 per fortnight.

You​ don't need to apply to do this. You just need to ensure that the full amount of the fine is paid by the due date on your fine reminder notice. If it isn't paid in full, Revenue NSW will serve you with an overdue fine notice and add a fee to your fine.

If you need longer than three months to pay your fine, you can set up a payment plan to pay by instalments over a longer period.

You can apply to pay by instalments:

• online,
• by telephone or
• by completing a payment plan application.

To get a bank copy of the Payment Plan Application, see Set up a payment plan on the NSW government website.

For more information, see Pay your fine on the My problem is about section of our website.

Ho​​w do I ​ap​​ply to pay by instalments?

If you don’t receive a Centrelink benefit, but you want to pay your fine in instalments and you can pay the full amount owing within three months, you can make part payments. You will need to pay the full fine amount within three months.

If you need longer than three months to pay your fine, you can set up a payment plan to pay by instalments over a longer period. You can apply in writing by completing a Payment Plan Application. To get a blank copy of this form, see Set up a payment plan on the NSW government website.

You should apply before your fines becomes an overdue fine so that Revenue NSW doesn't add enforcement costs to the total amount you have to pay.

You can apply to pay by instalments:

• online,
• by telephone or
• by completing a payment plan application.

For more information, including sample forms, see Pay your fine on the My problem is about section of our website.

If you need help working out what you can afford to pay, you should speak to a financial counsellor.

To find a free financial counsellor, see Financial counselling on the MoneySmart website.

What if my application to​ pay by insta​lments is ​​refused?

If you applied to pay your fine by instalments and Revenue NSW refused your application, or set the instalments at a higher amount, you can as​k the Hardship Review Board to review the decision. 

You will need to complete an Application for a Review of Revenue NSW Decision form. 

For more information, see How to get help on the Hardship Review Board website.   

Before you apply for a review, you should get legal advice about your circumstances.

Can I include a new fine in my existing payment plan?

Yes. If you already have a payment plan (also called an instalment plan) with Revenue NSW, you can ask for the fine to be added to your payment plan. An enforcement fee may be added to the total fine amount.

For more information, see Pay your fine on the My problem is about section of our website.

Can a new overdue fine be added to my payment plan?

If you already have a payment plan (also called an instalment plan) with Revenue NSW, and you get a new overdue fine, the new overdue fine may be automatically be added to your existing payment plan by Revenue NSW. This can also happen with fines being paid off by Centrepay.

If this happens, Revenue NSW will contact you in writing, including by letter, SMS or email.

The number of individual instalments you will need to make to pay off your fines will increase but the dollar amount of each instalment will not. 

If you do not want the new overdue fine added to your payment plan, you can remove the overdue fine:

• online via  myEnforcement Order on the Revenue NSW website.
• by phoning Revenue NSW.

Can I apply​ for the fine to be ​​written off because of hardship I'm experiencing?

If you are unable to pay your fine, or if you are experiencing difficulty making payments under your payment plan, and your circumstances are not going to change in the next five years, you can write to Revenue NSW to ask that your fine(s) be written off.

When a fine is partially or fully written off, Revenue NSW considers the written off amount to be paid. If the offence has associated demerit points, those demerits will be applied to your traffic record.

For more information about applying for your fines to be written off or postponed, see Ask to have your fine written off on the My problem is about section of our website.

How can I get my fines reduced by 50%?

If you can't afford to pay the whole fine, or pay by instalments, you may be able to apply to have your fine reduced by 50%.

You may be eligible if you:

• were receiving a government benefit at the time of the offence
• are not eligible for a Work and Development Order
• have not had four or more similar fines within 12 months of the offence date
• are not applying about a serious offence or have had a serious offence in the last 12 months
• are applying about an offence which can be considered for reduction. 

The reductions are not available for the following types of fines:

• any fine from a court
• jury duty related fines
• voting related fines
• fines issued to a body corporate.

If your application is successful, any other penalties that came with the fine will still apply, for example, demerit points, licence suspensions, disqualifications and cancellations.

For more information, see Request a fine reduction on the My problem is about section of our website.

What is a Work an​​d ​Development​ Order?

A ​Work and Development Order (WDO) involves doing an activity as a way of paying off your fines, including: 

• unpaid work with an approved org​anisation, or
• completing certain courses or treatment (including counselling) with an approved health care professional.

A WDO can be completed by people who:

• have a mental illness
• have an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment
• have a serious addiction to drugs or alcohol
• are homeless
• are experiencing extreme financial hardship (which can include where you rely on a Centrelink benefit)
• are under 18 years of age.

An application for a ​WDO must be supported by an approved organisation or qualified health practitioner. If you are living interstate, there may be approved WDO sponsors in your state. Revenue NSW must approve an application for a WDO before fines begin to be paid though the WDO.

For more information, see Work and Development Orders on the My problem is about section of our website.

Can I complete the traffic offender intervention program as part of a Work and Development Order? 

If you have an overdue fine, you may be able to complete the traffic offender intervention program to pay off your fine.  

The traffic offender intervention program can be an approved activity for a Work and Development Order (WDO) if you voluntarily start the program before you are sentenced for the traffic offence. 

If you are ordered by the Court to complete the traffic offender intervention program it won’t count towards a WDO. 

If you have an unrestricted licence, and your licence has been suspended twice in five years for having too many demerit points, Transport NSW can require you to complete the program before you can get your licence back. If you complete the program at the request of Transport for NSW, you can ask for it to be an approved activity under a WDO. 

For more information, see Work and Development Orders on the My problem is about section of our website. 

What does 'acut​e financial ha​rdship' mean?

Revenue NSW will normally accept you are in acute financial hardship if yo​u receive a Centrelink benefit, such as the Disability Support Pension, a carers pension or NewStart.

If you do not receive a Centrelink benefit, Revenue NSW may still consider you in acute financial hardship.

Financial hardship is determined on a case-by-case basis and Revenue NSW will look at your personal circumstances, for example your income and how many dependent children you have.

If you t​hink you may be in acute financial hardship, you should contact the WDO hotline.

Are there any approved organisations or approved health care​ professionals in my area who can support​​ my Work and Development Order application?

For a list of approved organisations and health professionals:

• see Search WDO Sponsor on the NSW Government website
• contact the WDO Hotline​.
  

What do I do once I've found an approved organisation​​ I want to​ support my Work and Developmen​​t Order application?

You will have to contact the organisation to see if they are able to provide you with unpaid work, a training course, or relevant treatment. Sometimes organisations are not able to take on people for various reasons. If the organisation is able to accept you and is willing to sponsor your Work and Development Order application, you should ask them to help you apply to Revenue NSW.

For more information, see Work and Development Orders on the My problem is about section of our website.

How can​ my counsellor ​support my Work and Development Order application? 

Your counsellor should be able to tell you if they are an approved health care professional. If they are not and would like to become one, they will need to apply to the Department of Communities and Justice. 

For more information, see Advocates and Sponsors on the NSW Government website.

What if my ​reque​​st​​ for my fines to be waived or postponed is refused?

If you are experiencing serious financial, medical and/or personal hardship and Revenue NSW has refused to write off your fines or give you time to pay them, you can apply to the Fines Hardship Review Board.

For more information, see Hardship Review Board on the NSW Government website. 

Can my l​ice​nce or registration be suspended because of​​ an unpaid fine?

If you don​'t pay an overdue fine by the due date Revenue NSW can ask Transport for NSW to suspend your driver licence or vehicle registration. They can only do this if you have a NSW licence or registration.

If you have a licence from a different state or territory and you have two or more unpaid traffic fines, your driving privileges can be withdrawn. This means you can't drive in NSW.

What c​​an I do ​​if​ e​nforcement action has been taken for my unpaid​ fines?

If you don't pay your overdue fines by the due date, Revenue NSW can:

• direct Transport for NSW to suspend your driver licence or vehicle registration (they will usually do this first before taking any other enforcement action)
  
• garnish your bank account or wages
  
• send you an Examination Order - a notice telling you that you have to go to the Local Court to provide information about your financial circumstances
  
• place a charge on your property - a restriction that will stop you from dealing with your property until your overdue fine (previously called an enforcement order) is paid in full.

If enforcement action has been taken, you can:

• ​pay the fines in full (including any enforcement fees added) - the suspension or your licence or registration will be lifted after Revenue NSW receives full payment
• apply for an your overdue fines to go to the Local Court to be decided
• apply for a Work and Development Order
  
• apply for the fine(s) to be waived or postponed if you are experiencing hardship.

For more information, see What if I do nothing? on the My problem is about section of our website.

What if my ​mon​​ey has​ been garnis​hed? 

If you have not paid your overdue fine, Revenue NSW can place restrictions on your driver licence and/or vehicle registration.

If the or​​der still remains unpaid, or you do not have a licence or vehicle, they can garnish:

• your wages - where your employer will be ordered to deduct money from your pay, and/or
• your bank account - where your bank will be ordered to withdraw money from your account.

The mon​ey that is taken will go to Revenue NSW to pay off your fine(s). If your wages or your bank account has been garnished, you should seek legal advice. 

There are rules about how much money can be garnished. If your bank account has been garnished, you must be left with a minimum balance amount. The minimum balance amount is currently $593.40 per week (as at 1 October 2024).  Any amount over that may be taken.

For more information, see the Debtor (when you owe money) topic.

Can I apply for a​ refund of​​ garnishee payments? 

You may be able to apply for a full or partial r​efund of any money that has been garnished from your bank account or wages if:

• you have health or safety concerns and the lack of money may result in a severe, life threatening or critical situation
• you didn't receive a fair opportunity to resolve the overdue fine before the garnishee order was issued, for example, if Revenue NSW made a mistake by not assessing your instalment application before the garnishee order was issued
  
• you have other extenuating circumstances.

If you want to apply for a partial or full refund of the money taken from a garnishee order, you should get legal advice.

What if a Sheriff wants ​to se​​ize my property? 

If the sheriff has come to your property to seize personal items so that they can sel​l them to pay your unpaid fine(s), you have a number of options. 

For more information, see Fined Out factsheet 4: Enforcement action by Revenue NSW on the Ways to get help section of our website.  

You should get legal advic​e about your circumstances.

C​an​ ​a fine from another Sta​te or Territory be enforced in NSW ​where I live?​

If you live in NSW, but have a fine from another State or Territory, the fine can be refe​​rred to Revenue NSW in N​SW for enforcement. This means that Revenue NSW can take enforcement action against you for the fine, similar to what would happen in the State or Territory where you got the fi​ne.

​​If you ​want more info​rmation about this, you can cont​act:

• Revenue NSW - for information about their powers to manage the interstate fine, and/or
• the relevant agency in the State or Territory where the fine was issued, for information about the enforcement action that can be taken for unpaid fines.

Can my overdue fine be written off if I have received a payment under the NSW Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme and Funeral Assistance Fund from Aboriginal Affairs? 

If you have an overdue fine, you can give permission to Aboriginal Affairs NSW or an advocate to contact Revenue NSW on your behalf. Revenue NSW is not automatically notified of the payment unless you give permission to Aboriginal Affairs NSW to contact them.

Once Revenue NSW finds out that you have received a payment, they can put your fine on hold and may write it off. Some fines for serious offences won’t be written off. This includes an overdue fine for an order for restitution.

You can call Aboriginal Affairs NSW on 1800 019 998 or email stolengenerations@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au

For more information, see NSW Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme and Funeral Assistance Fund Fact Sheet – Fines Information on the Aboriginal Affairs NSW website.

Can my overdue fine be written off if I have received a payment under the National Redress Scheme?

If you have an overdue fine, you can give permission to the National Redress Scheme or an advocate to contact Revenue NSW on your behalf. Revenue NSW is not automatically notified of the payment unless you give permission to the National Redress Scheme to contact them.

Once Revenue NSW finds out you received a redress payment, they can put your fine on hold and may write it off. Some fines for serious offences won’t be written off. This includes an overdue fine for an order for restitution. 

You can call the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377 or Revenue NSW on 1300 135 627 to speak to a dedicated team.