InBrief

Amendments to the Fines Act 1996 have now commenced, making it easier for people who are in receipt of Centrelink benefits to pay their court fines. Previously, a person convicted by a court and ordered to pay a fine or a monetary penalty had no choice but to pay up or apply for time to pay. If arrangements for payment were not made within 28 days, the matter would be referred to the State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO).

Recent amendments allow these to be paid through Centrepay: a service that provides for court fines to be paid by instalments, which can be deducted from Centrelink payments. It is free and completely voluntary. Fine debtors who choose to use Centrepay to pay their fines or monetary penalties must complete a form, which will be available from the Local Court registry or can be downloaded from LawLink. The form will also be included with each Notice of Penalty issued by courts.

The signed and completed form should be returned to the Local Courthouse. The Registrar of the Court will then refer the fine or penalty to SDRO and send SDRO a copy of the completed form.

SDRO must be satisfied that the fine debtor is receiving regular Centrelink benefits. Where necessary, SDRO staff will contact the fine debtor and discuss deduction arrangements. As soon as the deduction amount and commencement date are agreed, SDRO will make a time to pay order.

If SDRO decides not to make a time to pay order, the fine or penalty is referred back to the court and will then be processed in the normal way. Further information about Centrepay can be found on Centrelink’s web site at www.centrelink.gov.au.�

1 February 2010