Help with fines and infringements

An infringement notice is a fine for an alleged offence, such as some parking, traffic, public transport or local law offences. The options available depend on the type of fine and how far it has progressed. Southport Community Legal Service can help you understand a notice, consider your options and identify an appropriate next step.

Check the date and stage shown on the notice. An infringement notice, enforcement notice and court fine may have different processes. Seek advice promptly, especially if you receive sheriff's documents or a court date.

Questions we can discuss

• Understanding a fine and who issued it.
• Review options and relevant supporting evidence.
• Special circumstances or fines connected with family violence.
• Difficulty paying and possible payment arrangements.
• Whether a Work and Development Permit may be an option.
• Enforcement notices, response dates and referral needs.

How we may help

• Explain the notice and the available processes.
• Discuss possible grounds for review.
• Help identify relevant documents or supporting practitioners.
• Assess assistance with a review application or specific legal task.
• Discuss an approved WDP sponsor or financial counselling referral.

Options for dealing with a fine

Depending on the notice and its stage, options may include paying, asking for instalments or more time, requesting a review, nominating the responsible driver where permitted, or having the matter dealt with in court. Court action can have additional consequences and costs. We can discuss the options before you decide.

A review is not available on every ground or at every stage. Keep all notices and any earlier decisions so the correct process can be checked. For a traffic charge or licence issue, see our Traffic offences page.

Special circumstances

Victorian fines law recognises specific circumstances that may support a review. These can include:

• Mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness.
• Serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance.
• Homelessness.
• Being affected by family violence.

• For mental or intellectual disability, illness or serious addiction, evidence must connect the circumstance to significantly reduced capacity to understand or control the conduct.
• For homelessness or family violence, the connection concerns significantly reduced capacity to control the conduct.
• A separate ground may apply where severe, disabling long-term circumstances make dealing with the fines impracticable. Financial hardship alone does not establish that long-term ground.

Supporting evidence from a practitioner or agency familiar with your situation is important. We can discuss the legal requirements, evidence and consequences of an application. Having one of these circumstances does not automatically cancel a fine.

Work and Development Permits

A Work and Development Permit (WDP) can allow an eligible person to reduce fine debt through approved activities or treatment instead of paying money. Participation must be supervised by an approved sponsor, such as a participating organisation or health practitioner.

• Eligibility: may involve mental or intellectual disability or illness, addiction, homelessness, family violence or acute financial hardship. Supporting information is required.
• Activities: can include treatment, counselling, courses or unpaid work, depending on the sponsor and your needs.
• Fine eligibility: not all fines qualify. Court fines and some fines at later enforcement stages are excluded.
• Sponsorship: an approved sponsor needs to assess and support participation. Eligibility does not guarantee a place or approval.

We can discuss whether a WDP is worth exploring and help identify a suitable sponsor.

Family violence and financial difficulty

If fines are connected with family violence, the separate Family Violence Scheme may be relevant. Its requirements differ from other review options. If paying is the main difficulty, we can discuss payment arrangements or referral to a financial counsellor. These options need to be considered against the stage and circumstances of your fines.

What level of assistance can we offer?

We assess each matter individually, taking account of its suitability and our available resources. An enquiry or appointment does not guarantee ongoing assistance or representation.

Advice

Basic initial advice to help you understand the issue and consider your next steps.

Referral

Information about another legal or support service when specialist help is needed or we cannot assist.

Further assistance

A specific legal task or ongoing casework may be available, decided case by case and subject to resources.

What we do not do

• Commercial or business matters.
• Conveyancing, real-estate transactions and property ownership disputes.
• Personal injury claims or WorkCover matters.

We cannot guarantee that a fine will be withdrawn, a review will succeed or a WDP will be approved. We do not promise to act as a WDP sponsor or attend court. Any further assistance must be agreed after an individual assessment.

Prepare for your appointment

• Bring all fine and enforcement notices, earlier review decisions, payment arrangement information and relevant correspondence.
• Bring any supporting reports you already have.
• Tell us about a court date, sheriff's notice or response deadline when contacting us.

Talk to us

Contact Southport Community Legal Service to discuss an appointment.

Request an appointment

Call 03 9646 6066, 0490 934 661 or 0440 131 920.
Email [email protected].

Further information

• Victoria Legal Aid: fines and infringements
• Fines Victoria: special circumstances
• Fines Victoria: Work and Development Permits and approved sponsors
• Fines Victoria: Family Violence Scheme

This page provides general information. Ask for advice about your own circumstances. Information reviewed September 2026.