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Need help to pay a government debt, such as traffic fines?
If you are struggling to pay a State or Territory government debt, you may be eligible to engage in a little-known government program involving community work or individual development activities that can result in the debt being eliminated. Note that this program relates to government-issued fines only, such as traffic fines. It does not apply to fines issued by private entities, such as freeway management companies for not paying tolls. Further information about this program is available on the following websites, or check with Legal Aid in your State or Territory.
NSW: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/request-work-and-development-order
Vic: https://online.fines.vic.gov.au/wdp
W.A: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-justice/work-and-development-permit-scheme
Qld: https://www.qld.gov.au/law/fines-and-penalties/overdue-fines/sper-work-order
ACT: https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov....fringements-tab-work-and-development-programs
Checking online, there seems to be no reference to this program operating in Tasmania, South Australia or Northern Territory. Local Legal Aid offices will be able to advise you whether this program is available there.
Under a work and development program, you have a choice of activities available to reduce your fines. While there may be some slight differences in the range of approved activities between the programs in different jurisdictions (i.e. States or Territories), all programs include working for a charity or attending counselling with a registered psychologist. Volunteer Sponsors provide the activities approved under the program. A list of Sponsors can be found on the relevant government websites. If you need help finding a Sponsor, call your local Legal Aid office for assistance.
If you wish to work for a charity, the fine reduction is calculated on the hours worked. The amount of the reduction varies between jurisdictions, but it is approximately $30 to $40 per hour. To participate, you will need to register with the management of the Sponsor charity and arrange suitable work hours.
If you are entitled to Medicare and you wish to attend counselling with a psychologist Sponsor, you can request your GP to assess you for a Medicare Mental Health Care Plan. The GP will provide (i) a referral letter to the psychologist you wish to see, and (ii) a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). Under your MHCP, you are entitled to attend up to 10 sessions with a psychologist per calendar year and Medicare will pay the rebate for you. If there is a “gap” fee, you will pay that directly to the psychologist. If you already have a MHCP and a referral to another psychologist, Medicare requires that you provide an additional referral letter from your GP addressed to the psychologist Sponsor.
Request your GP's clinic to send the MHCP and referral letter to the Sponsor psychologist’s clinic. The psychologist's clinic must have a copy in order to register you for Medicare purposes. After the clinic receives these documents, you can make an appointment to attend a session. Because many psychologists now provide online sessions, you can select a psychologist who is not necessarily located close to you, as long as they practise within your jurisdiction.
Depending on the program’s provisions in your jurisdiction, attending counselling reduces your fine by approximately $1,000 for that month. Most psychologist Sponsors require you to attend only one 50-minute session per month. Ongoing attendance will reduce the total debt to zero.
Under the work and development programs, it is the participant’s responsibility to schedule their activity appointments and attend. Regular attendance will eliminate the debt. It is not the Sponsor’s job to chase you to schedule appointments or attend; that is part of your work under the program. Failure to schedule or to attend an activity appointment is likely to result in the cancellation of the individual's program and reinstatement of the fines. Cancellation of the individual’s licence and registration will follow if the fines remain unpaid.
Please be aware that Sponsors do a lot of extra unpaid administration work for program participants. Sponsors participate in the programs to assist individuals who have debts beyond their ability to pay. Please respect the Sponsor's assistance by making and attending your activities as required. Note that these programs are designed to assist people to move on from past debts and improve their lives. Repeated debt accrual is unlikely to qualify for further work and development programs.
If you are eligible to be a Sponsor under this program and you are interested in knowing more, please consult the relevant website for further information.
