Fines and fees
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Complying with a WDO

When we approve your application for a Work and Development Order (WDO) you will:

  • be supported by an approved WDO sponsor and
  • agree with us about the activities you will complete to pay off all or part of the fine or penalty.

Under a WDO, both you and your sponsor must agree to our terms and conditions. Following are some of the more important rules you need to know.

You must complete the activities

When we approve a WDO you must complete the activities your sponsor nominates. You must contact your sponsor as soon as you can if your circumstances change.

If you don’t comply with your WDO and we cancel the order, you will have to pay your fine and any additional penalties.

The value of WDO activities

Any activity you undertake through a WDO will count towards your fine at the following rates.

ActivityRateConditions
Medical/mental health treatment (including disability case management) Monthly Full compliance: $1,000 per month
Partial compliance: proportion
Financial or other counselling $50 per hour or $350 per 7-hour day Maximum of $1,000 of fine debt per month
Drug or alcohol treatment Monthly Full compliance: $1,000 per month
Partial compliance: proportion
Educational/vocational or life skills course $50 per hour or $350 per 7-hour day Maximum of $1,000 of fine debt per month
Voluntary unpaid work $30 per hour Breaks not included in hours.
Maximum of $,1000 per month.
Mentoring programs (people under 25 years) Monthly Full compliance: $1,000 per month
Partial compliance: proportion

Changing or cancelling a WDO

We can change or cancel your WDO if:

  • your circumstances change or
  • your finances improve so that they no longer fit the eligibility criteria.

We can change or cancel a WDO if you or your approved sponsor:

  • fail to comply with the order or
  • provide false or misleading information in the application.

We can also change your WDO if both you and your approved sponsor agree to:

  • include further enforcement orders or
  • add or remove programs.

Notice to cancel

Before we cancel a WDO, we’ll take all reasonable steps to talk with your sponsor. We’ll also give you a reasonable period – at least four weeks – to challenge our decision.

Request to change or cancel a WDO

If you wish to make any changes to a WDO, you must first speak with your approved sponsor. A change to a WDO will be considered:

  • if your work, treatment or the number of hours you’re spending at activities or treatment each week changes or
  • to include new fines.

Your sponsor can make a request to change or cancel a WDO through our online self-service portal.

Change or cancel a WDO now

Your sponsor can send a written request to us to change or cancel the WDO.

What to expect

When we’re considering your request to change or cancel a WDO we will:

  • take into account any offences you might have committed after the WDO was issued
  • write to you and your approved sponsor setting out our reasons
  • give you at least four weeks to challenge our proposal before we act.