Fines and Infringements

Infringements, also known as a fine or a penalty notice, are issued under State Legislation. Infringements can be issued when a law or regulation is broken i.e. animal management, parking, health or local laws.

Infringements may be handed to you, sent in the mail or they may be placed on your vehicle's windscreen.

If you do not act by the due date written on the infringement notice, you may be issued with a Penalty Reminder Notice and may incur additional costs.

What are my options?

Pay your infringement

You can pay your infringement by the due date in a number of ways.

Pay now

 

Request an internal review

What types of infringements can I appeal?

  • Animals
  • Local Law
  • Health
  • Parking

How to apply for a review

An internal review can be requested up until it is lodged with Fines Victoria for collection. Note that if not been received by the due date on the infringement, further costs will be incurred. You may only make an objection once per infringement notice, as per Section 22(2)(e) of the Infringements Act 2006

Apply now

Infringement-Offence-application-for-internal-review.pdf(PDF, 211KB)

The application will be reviewed against the Internal Review Guidelines prescribed by the Department of Justice and Community Safety.

We will send you an email to confirm we have received your application. All enforcement action will be suspended until the review has been completed. Your application will be assessed, and you will be notified in writing within 14 business days.

You may be requested in writing to provide further information if sufficient information is not provided. If you do not provide this further information within 35 days of the date of request, the enforcement agency may determine the application without further information.

Alternatively, you can submit your objection by sending a written letter to:
Mildura Rural City Council, PO Box 105 Mildura VIC 3502

On what grounds can I request a review?

Contrary to Law

Please provide the reasons why you consider the decision to issue you with an infringement was unlawful (eg. the infringement was not valid). For more examples and evidentiary requirements, visit the Justice and Community Safety website.

Mistaken identity

Please provide an explanation of why you rely on the ground of mistake of identity (including evidence e.g. that the applicant could not have committed the conduct because they could not have been in the relevant location). For more examples and evidentiary requirements, visit the Justice and Community Safety website.

Special circumstances

Special circumstances include:

  • a mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness
  • a serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or volatile substance
  • homelessness
  • family violence within the meaning of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.
  • long term condition/circumstances making it impracticable to deal with the fine

Examples of supporting evidence could include:

  • medical evidence from medical practitioners, invoices or receipts, statutory declarations or affidavits, witness statements, photographs, travel documentation, police statements or records. For more examples and evidentiary requirements, visit the Justice and Community Safety website.

Exceptional circumstances

Please provide details of the exceptional circumstances (where you have committed the offence due to unforeseen or unpreventable circumstances, eg. medical emergencies). For more examples and evidentiary requirements, visit the Justice and Community Safety website.

Mistaken identity

Please provide an explanation of why you rely on the ground of mistake of identity (including evidence e.g. copy of your driver’s licence, in support). For more examples and evidentiary requirements, visit the Justice and Community Safety website.

Person unaware of fine

An application made on the ground of ‘person unaware’ must:

  • be made within 14 days of you becoming aware of the infringement notice (You may evidence the date that you became aware of the infringement notice by executing a statutory declaration)
  • state the grounds on which the decision should be reviewed, and
  • provide your current address for service.

For more examples and evidentiary requirements, visit the Justice and Community Safety website.

The decision made by Council is final. If you don’t agree with Council’s decision you can choose to have the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court. You must notify Council in writing of your intention to go to court.

Request a court hearing

If you don’t agree with Council’s decision after an internal review, you can choose to have the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court.

You must notify Council in writing of your intention to go to court, you can do this by completing the following form and send to:

Request Court Hearing-form(PDF, 835KB)

Please note that additional costs may be incurred if you choose to have the matter referred to court.

Nominate the person responsible of the vehicle

If you have received a parking fine and were not the person driving the vehicle, you may nominate the person responsible for the vehicle at the time of the offence. A Driver Nomination form must be completed and returned to Council before the due date on the infringement notice to avoid further costs being incurred.

Complete the following form and send to: 

Driver-Nomination-Request-form.pdf(PDF, 835KB)

Payment plan / extension of time to pay

Having difficulty paying your fine? We have options available to help

  • Payment plan
  • Extension of time to pay

If you wish to request a payment arrangement, this must be submitted to Council in writing. Please note your request must include the following information:

  • The Infringement Number
  • Full Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Postal Address
  • Driver's license number and State of issue
  • Vehicle Registration Number

All extension of time and payment arrangement requests can be sent to:

Family Violence Scheme – Fines assistance

The Family Violence Scheme supports people affected by family violence within the fines system.

The scheme allows you to apply to have your fines withdrawn if family violence substantially contributed to the offence or it is not safe for you to name the responsible person.

You can access the scheme if:

  • you are a victim of family violence, and

the family violence was one of the main reasons why you were unable to:

  • control the conduct for which you received the fine, or
  • name the driver that committed the offence.

How to apply

Complete the Family Violence Scheme application form.

Your application must:

  • be in writing (you can type into the application form)
  • provide your current postal address
  • list the eligible fines you want included
  • explain how being a victim of family violence substantially contributed to you getting the fine
  • provide evidence to support your application.

Fines Victoria's Guide to the Family Violence Scheme provides detailed guidance on what evidence to include.

Where can I get more information?

  • You can call 1300 019 983. Trained staff are available to take your call Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except public holidays).
  • You can visit the Family Violence Scheme website
  • You can visit Ground Floor, 277 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

Work and Development Permit

The Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme provides vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a non-financial option to address their infringement fine debt. If eligible, you can reduce your fine debt by participating in certain activities and treatment under the supervision of an accredited sponsor.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for a WDP you will have received an infringement fine or registered collection and enforcement order. 

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.

    You will need to provide details to support your eligibility.

What activities are required?

  • If you undertake a WDP, your sponsor will choose the treatment and/or activities that are best suited to you and keep records of your participation.

These activities may include:

  • unpaid work
  • treatment given by a doctor, nurse or psychologist
  • courses, including educational, vocational or life skills courses
  • financial counselling
  • drug and alcohol counselling
  • mentoring (for a person under 25 years of age).

How can I participate in the WDP Scheme?

To participate in a WDP you must be engaged with an accredited sponsor and participate in activities and/or treatment as required by your sponsor.

If you are already engaged with an organisation or health practitioner, you can ask them if they are interested in becoming accredited as a WDP sponsor. They can contact us to find out more.

If you are not currently engaged with an organisation or health practitioner, you can contact us to discuss your options. You will need to provide information to support your eligibility for the scheme.

To find out more about the Work and Development Permit scheme, call 1300 323 483 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) or email wdp@justice.vic.gov.au.

What fines are not eligible for a WDP?

There are some circumstances in which a fine cannot be included in a WDP, for example if:

  • the fine has been issued to a company
  • the fine has been paid in full
  • the fine is a court fine
  • you have been served a 7 Day Notice in relation to the fine and the 7 day notice period has expired
  • you have been arrested by a sheriff’s officer in relation to the fine
  • a vehicle seizure and sale notice has been issued after a sheriff’s officer has wheel clamped and detained your vehicle
  • an attachment of earnings direction or an attachment of debts direction has been made in relation to the fine
  • a land charge has been recorded in relation to the fine, or
  • the fine has been registered with the Children’s Court for enforcement.

If your fine is included in a payment arrangement, the fine needs to be removed from the arrangement for it be included in a WDP.

A fine can also not be included in a WDP if you have submitted a nomination request, an application for review or the Family Violence Scheme. The fine can be added to a WDP if your application is rejected or withdrawn.

Becoming a WDP sponsor

If you are an organisation or a health practitioner and would like to find out more about becoming a WDP sponsor, see Work and Development Permit scheme on the Department of Justice and Community Safety website.