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Applying for a Work and Development Order

Information about applying for a Work and Development Order for a restitution debt.

A Work and Development Order (WDO) enables you to reduce your fines by participating in certain activities or treatment programs through an approved WDO sponsor.  The activity you can do depends on your circumstances. It can include:

  • unpaid work
  • medical or mental health treatment
  • an educational, vocational or life skills course
  • financial counselling
  • drug or alcohol treatment, or
  • a mentoring program (if you are under 25).

A Work and Development Order (WDO) is only available if you:

  • have a mental illness
  • have an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment
  • have a serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or volatile substances
  • are homeless, or
  • are experiencing economic hardship.

For more information, see Apply for a Work and Development Order on the NSW Government website or call the WDO Hotline on 1300 478 879.

If you are eligible for a Work and Development Order (WDO), you must find an approved WDO sponsor. 

To find a sponsor, see Search WDO Sponsor on the NSW Government website or call the WDO Hotline on 1300 478 879.

Not all sponsors are listed online. You can call the WDO Hotline on 1300 478 879 to find out if there are any approved sponsors in your area.

Once you find a sponsor, you will need to discuss your situation with them. The sponsor will ask you to provide information that supports your application. 

Here are some examples of the types of supporting documents you should provide:

 
  • a letter from a treating doctor, psychiatrist, registered psychologist or mental health nurse
  • a letter or document from a government or non-government agency to assess mental health
  • a letter or document from Centrelink (if you are on a disability pension).

 
  • a job capacity assessment or other Centrelink report describing the disability or impairment (if you are on a disability pension)
  • a declaration of eligibility of services from Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)
  • a letter from a treating doctor, psychiatrist, registered psychologist or mental health nurse
  • a letter or document from a government or non-government agency to assess intellectual disability or cognitive impairment. 

  • a letter from a caseworker, lawyer, government or non-government agency working with the homeless which describes your living arrangements and how long you have been homeless.

 
  • a letter from a treating doctor, psychiatrist, registered psychologist, social worker or nurse specialising in drug and alcohol addiction
  • a letter from a caseworker, counsellor or residential rehabilitation provider
  • a letter from a government or non-government agency experienced with working in drug and alcohol addiction.

 
  • a letter or document from Centrelink which confirms you are receiving Centrelink benefits (if you are a Centrelink recipient)
  • a copy of your most recent bank statements and payslips
  • a copy of your Medicare card if you have dependent children
  • evidence of child support payments (if you are paying child support).

 
  • a copy of your recent bank statement or payslips
  • evidence of medical or other bills
  • a statement describing your current domestic circumstances.

Once a sponsor is satisfied that they have enough information, they can lodge an application with Revenue NSW on your behalf. The sponsor can apply online through the WDO portal on the NSW Government website. 

If your application for a Work and Development Order (WDO) is approved by Revenue NSW, you must complete the activities nominated by your sponsor. 

The type of activity you complete will count towards your fine.

If you don’t comply with your WDO or provide false or misleading information, you will have to pay your fine and any additional penalties.

If you are having difficulty complying with your WDO, speak to your sponsor about your situation. They can make a request to change or cancel a WDO for you. 

If you have completed your WDO activities but still have outstanding fines, you should speak to an advocate about your eligibility for a write off. Advocates are from approved government agencies or organisations such as Legal Aid NSW and financial counsellors.

If Revenue NSW refuses your application for a Work and Development Order, you may be able to apply to the Hardship Review Board to review their decision.

Before you apply for a review, you should consider contacting Revenue NSW to discuss their decision. 

For more information, see Step by step guide -Applying for a review at the Hardship Review Board.