Fines in NSW

In NSW you don't need proof to ask Revenue NSW for more time to pay a fine. Revenue NSW may still ask for more information or documents.

NSW only. Other states have their own fines rules.. Checked 7 October 2026

At a glance

Documents to start: None named to apply. They may ask for more, including documents.
How to ask: Online, phone or in person
Their time to decide: No published time, so ask when you'll hear
If they say no: Hardship Review Board

What to say

You can say

“I can't pay this fine in full and I'd like to apply for time to pay.”

How to apply for a fine payment plan (NSW Government)

Find Revenue NSW's line and a letter

1.What you can ask for

In NSW, Revenue NSW can agree to give you time to pay a fine. The law sets no evidence requirement for asking. Revenue NSW doesn't have to agree.Law
The NSW Government's payment plan page says you can apply for a payment plan at any time.Their own policy
Applying while it's still a penalty notice can move the fine to the enforcement stage early. Some enforcement costs are then put off, and dropped if you keep to the plan.Law
Once a fine is at the enforcement stage, you apply before a community correction order or community service order is issued.
In NSW, a Work and Development Order may let you clear fines through approved activities instead of paying, such as unpaid work, courses, counselling or treatment. You apply with an approved sponsor.
Revenue NSW's page says you may qualify if you're in serious financial hardship, homeless or under 18. You may also qualify if you have a mental health condition, an intellectual or cognitive disability, or an alcohol or substance use disorder.Their own policy

2.What they can ask you

The NSW payment plan page says a plan may come with conditions, such as an up-front payment or a review period, and that Revenue NSW may ask for more information.Their own policy
Its hardship policy says you may be asked to supply documents or other evidence to support your request.

If they ask for more

You could say

“Can you tell me what you need this information for? And can you send that request to me in writing, please?”

Ask for it in writing only to an email or address that no one else can see.

If they push for more than you can pay

You could say

“I can't agree to an amount I can't keep up. I'd like to talk to a financial counsellor and come back to you. Please put your offer in writing.”

It helps to offer only what you can keep up after rent, energy and food. You don't have to agree to an amount on the first call.

3.While they decide

No time is published for a decision, so ask when you'll hear. Revenue NSW tells you its decision in writing.
Ask whether you need to keep paying and whether they'll pause a direct debit while they decide.

4.If they say no

Ask for the reason in writing.
In NSW, the Hardship Review Board can review some Revenue NSW decisions. It can review a refused payment plan, a refused request to lower payments, or a plan approved at a higher rate than you offered. It can also review a refused write-off, or a Work and Development Order that was refused or cancelled.
If the Board says no, its page says there is no further right of appeal.

Who can help

Revenue NSW, overdue fines and payment difficulty
1300 655 805
Revenue NSW, Work and Development Orders
1300 478 879
National Debt Helpline
Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm phone, 9am–8pm live chat
1800 007 007 Live chat

Free financial counsellors at the National Debt Helpline explain options and coach you on what to say.
Outside the helpline's hours, if your email is private, you can email the creditor the words from ‘You can say’. You can also use its online form if it has one.

If it stays unpaid

If a fine stays unpaid in NSW, Revenue NSW can take enforcement action. This can include suspending your licence, cancelling your registration, taking money from your wages or bank account, or seizing property.

If you're not safe

You're in danger right now: Call 000
It isn't safe to call your creditors, or someone else controls the account, your money or your phone: Call 1800RESPECT first1800 737 732
Counselling for family violence, including financial abuse. Free and confidential, 24/7.

Exit leaves this page fast. It won't clear your browser history. Esc twice does the same.

When a full statement helps

Asking for a fine to be written off needs more. In NSW the law sets tests to be met, and Revenue NSW's policy lists the documents it asks for.
A free financial counsellor can help you write down your income, spending and debts.

Find a financial counsellor

Sources

Where a fact has a tag, it says what backs it. The tags mean:

Law: Applies to every creditor of that type.
Industry code: The firms that signed it must follow it.
Regulator's guideline: What the regulator requires or expects.
Guidance: What's expected, not law.
Their own policy: What they say they do.

Law. Fines Act 1996 (NSW), Current from 30 Jul 2026. s100(1) time to pay before a community correction or community service order; s101 write-off tests; s101B Hardship Review Board; s42(1AA) on an application for time to pay at the penalty-notice stage, the Commissioner can make an early enforcement order; Fines Regulation 2025 cl 5(2) the cl 4(1)(a) enforcement costs are postponed, and waived if the order is complied with; s99A–99B Work and Development Orders.
Their own policy. Revenue NSW Hardship Policy; nsw.gov.au payment plan page, 1 May 2026; 16 Jun 2026. Conditions such as an up-front payment or review period; documents or other evidence may be asked for.
Their own policy. NSW Government: Work and Development Order; Hardship Review Board fine review process; What happens if you don't pay your fine, 27 Aug 2026; 30 Apr 2025; 25 Mar 2025. WDO eligibility list; HRB reviewable decisions and 'There is no further right of objection or appeal'; recovery actions.

Checked 7 October 2026.

Someone else you owe?

This is general information, not financial or legal advice. A creditor's own policy can be more generous than the rules here.

1.What you can ask for

In NSW, Revenue NSW can agree to give you time to pay a fine. The law sets no evidence requirement for asking. Revenue NSW doesn't have to agree.Law
The NSW Government's payment plan page says you can apply for a payment plan at any time.Their own policy
Applying while it's still a penalty notice can move the fine to the enforcement stage early. Some enforcement costs are then put off, and dropped if you keep to the plan.Law
Once a fine is at the enforcement stage, you apply before a community correction order or community service order is issued.
In NSW, a Work and Development Order may let you clear fines through approved activities instead of paying, such as unpaid work, courses, counselling or treatment. You apply with an approved sponsor.
Revenue NSW's page says you may qualify if you're in serious financial hardship, homeless or under 18. You may also qualify if you have a mental health condition, an intellectual or cognitive disability, or an alcohol or substance use disorder.Their own policy

2.What they can ask you

The NSW payment plan page says a plan may come with conditions, such as an up-front payment or a review period, and that Revenue NSW may ask for more information.Their own policy
Its hardship policy says you may be asked to supply documents or other evidence to support your request.

If they ask for more

You could say

“Can you tell me what you need this information for? And can you send that request to me in writing, please?”

Ask for it in writing only to an email or address that no one else can see.

If they push for more than you can pay

You could say

“I can't agree to an amount I can't keep up. I'd like to talk to a financial counsellor and come back to you. Please put your offer in writing.”

It helps to offer only what you can keep up after rent, energy and food. You don't have to agree to an amount on the first call.

4.If they say no

Ask for the reason in writing.
In NSW, the Hardship Review Board can review some Revenue NSW decisions. It can review a refused payment plan, a refused request to lower payments, or a plan approved at a higher rate than you offered. It can also review a refused write-off, or a Work and Development Order that was refused or cancelled.
If the Board says no, its page says there is no further right of appeal.

Who can help

Revenue NSW, overdue fines and payment difficulty
1300 655 805
Revenue NSW, Work and Development Orders
1300 478 879
National Debt Helpline
Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm phone, 9am–8pm live chat
1800 007 007 Live chat

Free financial counsellors at the National Debt Helpline explain options and coach you on what to say.
Outside the helpline's hours, if your email is private, you can email the creditor the words from ‘You can say’. You can also use its online form if it has one.

If you're not safe

You're in danger right now

Call 000

It isn't safe to call your creditors, or someone else controls the account, your money or your phone

Call 1800RESPECT first1800 737 732

Counselling for family violence, including financial abuse. Free and confidential, 24/7.

Exit leaves this page fast. It won't clear your browser history. Esc twice does the same.

Sources

Where a fact has a tag, it says what backs it. The tags mean:

Law: Applies to every creditor of that type.
Industry code: The firms that signed it must follow it.
Regulator's guideline: What the regulator requires or expects.
Guidance: What's expected, not law.
Their own policy: What they say they do.

Law. Fines Act 1996 (NSW), Current from 30 Jul 2026. s100(1) time to pay before a community correction or community service order; s101 write-off tests; s101B Hardship Review Board; s42(1AA) on an application for time to pay at the penalty-notice stage, the Commissioner can make an early enforcement order; Fines Regulation 2025 cl 5(2) the cl 4(1)(a) enforcement costs are postponed, and waived if the order is complied with; s99A–99B Work and Development Orders.
Their own policy. Revenue NSW Hardship Policy; nsw.gov.au payment plan page, 1 May 2026; 16 Jun 2026. Conditions such as an up-front payment or review period; documents or other evidence may be asked for.
Their own policy. NSW Government: Work and Development Order; Hardship Review Board fine review process; What happens if you don't pay your fine, 27 Aug 2026; 30 Apr 2025; 25 Mar 2025. WDO eligibility list; HRB reviewable decisions and 'There is no further right of objection or appeal'; recovery actions.

Checked 7 October 2026.