Paying fines and judgment amounts

Paying a fine in criminal cases

How can I pay the fine?

You can pay by:

• Online payment 
• Credit card at the local court or by telephone.
  
• Cheque or money order payable to the Local Court.
• EFTPOS at the local court.
• Centrepay instalments – if you receive a Centrelink benefit, you can request deductions from your benefit. Complete the Payment Plan Application of Court Fines for Customers in Receipt of a Government Payment. Also available from the Local Court registry. 
• Instalments – if you do not receive a Centrelink benefit, you can apply to pay by instalments direct to the court. Complete the Application for Time to Pay Court Fines form

You can also ask for an extension of the 28 days. Contact the local court immediately if you cannot make a payment that you have agreed to make.

For more information download the fact sheet on paying fines (PDF, 229.8 KB)

Victims Support Levy

The Victims Support Levy or VSL (formerly Victims Compensation Levy - VCL) is an amount levied on people who are found guilty of offences in New South Wales courts. The VSL is not a penalty imposed by a court or judicial officer; it is imposed automatically by legislation when a person is convicted of an offence by a court.

A victims compensation levy needs to be paid within 28 days of the court finalising the case.

For more information download the fact sheet on court levies (PDF, 261.4 KB).

Court Costs Levy

From 13 May 2013, people who are found guilty of offences in summary proceedings before a local court may have to pay a Court Costs Levy (CCL). The CCL is not a penalty imposed by a court or judicial officer; it is imposed automatically by legislation when a person is convicted of an offence by the local court.

A court costs levy needs to be paid within 28 days of the court finalising the case.

For more information download the fact sheet on court levies (PDF, 261.4 KB).

What happens if you do not pay your fine?

If you do not pay the fine on time or make other payment arrangements, the outstanding amount will be referred to Revenue NSW which will take further action.

The types of recovery action Revenue NSW can take include:

• ask Transport for NSW to suspend your driver licence or cancel your car registration
• take money from your bank account or wages
• referring your debt to a private debt collection agency
• registering an interest on any land or property you may own
• ordering the sheriff to take your goods or property and sell them to pay the amount you owe

Each action taken may add more to your debt.

In certain circumstances, you may be able to apply Revenue NSW to do an activity to pay off your fines with activities like counselling, courses or treatment programs. See Revenue NSW Work and Development Order. If the fine was ordered for a commonwealth offence, other types of enforcement action may be taken against you.

Paying a judgment amount in civil cases

Judgment amounts that are determined in civil cases need to be paid immediately or as ordered by the court.

You need to pay a civil judgment amount directly to the party in whose favour the order was made.

What if you cannot afford to pay a judgment?

If you cannot pay the full amount, want an extension of time to pay or want to pay by instalments you should first speak to the person or firm to whom the money is owed. If they agree, put the agreement in writing. Both you and the other party need to sign this as a record of the agreement.

Alternatively, you can apply to a registrar at the court where the order was made. The registrar will make a decision. However, the other party can object. The objection may have to be heard by a judicial officer.

If you do not comply with the payment arrangement or do not pay the judgment amount as required, enforcement action may be taken to recover the amount owing.