Support for families with fines debt

Are some of your clients struggling to pay off their fines? - Now there is a practical way you can help

Unpaid fines can really hurt. They can result in increasing debt, loss of driver licence and car registration, a portion of wages being taken by the State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) or property being taken by the Sheriff.

Now there is a simple and practical way to support people struggling with fines debt.

The Work and Development Orders (WDOs) scheme, which was trialled by the NSW Government for two years, has now been made permanent.

WDOs allow eligible people, such as people in severe economic hardship or people who have a mental illness, intellectual disability or a cognitive impairment, or people who are homeless,  to work off unpaid fines through training, voluntary work or treatment.

Legal Aid NSW provides legal help to assist clients and organisations to get signed up to WDOs.

If your organisation would like more information about becoming an 'approved provider' for WDOs call Francesca Ciantar, solicitor at Legal Aid NSW, on 9219 6328 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Free legal advice on fines is available at your nearest Legal Aid NSW. For details go to  www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/wdo