If you don't pay the fine

At each stage statutory costs are added to the fine. 

Remember that at each stage you have the chance to pay the fine (plus costs), ask for extra time to pay, or object to the fine. 

It is never too late to pay the fine.

Step 1:  Penalty Reminder Notice: 42 days to pay the fine plus Penalty Reminder costs.

After 42 days, you will be sent a reminder called a Penalty Reminder Notice. Costs of $21.00* will have been added to the fine at this stage. The letter will give you three options:

• pay within another 42 days
• return the enclosed Statutory Declaration with the reasons why you object to the fine
• choose to go to the Magistrates' Court.

Step 2:  Enforcement Order: 42 days to pay the fine, Penalty Reminder Notice costs and further costs.

If you do not respond to the Penalty Reminder Notice, the ticket will be sent to the Infringements Court** which is a section of the Magistrates' Court.  Infringements Court will issue an Enforcement Order requiring you to pay the fine and the Penalty Reminder Notice costs of $21.00*, plus further costs of $70.10*.  This is a Court order and should be treated seriously. 

If you want to object to the Enforcement Order, please complete the Statutory Declaration that comes with the Order and return it to Infrignements Court.

Step 3:  Sheriff's Warrant: 7 days to pay the fine, Penalty Reminder Notice costs, Enforcement Order costs, and further costs.

If you do not respond to the Enforcement Order within the allotted time frame, Infringments Court will issue a warrant. Warrant fee of $49.90* will be added. The warrant authorises the Sheriff to demand payment of the fine and all costs, or seize your goods as security. If you have not paid in 7 days:

• your property can be sold, or vehicle clamped
• if you have no goods to seize, you can be imprisoned.

* Statutory costs are reviewed and increased regularly.
** Infringements Court is a centralised administrative system for collecting overdue fines. The Infringements Court is a section of the Magistrates Court.  Its decisions have the force of Court orders, but you cannot appear in person before an Infringements Court. If you want to dispute your fine before a Court you have to go to the Magistrates' Court itself.