Getting additional time to pay a fine depends on the kind of fine it is and how old it is. There are three different types of fines :

· A parking/traffic ticket or ' on the spot ' fine
· A fine imposed by the Court
· An overdue fine.


A parking/traffic ticket or ' on the spot ' fine

These are fines from the Police for a parking or traffic infringement or an ' on the spot ' fine from an agency such as the Local Council or the State Rail Authority.

You are allowed 21 days to pay from when the fine is issued. A further 21 days is allowed when you are sent a reminder notice. You cannot pay these fines in instalments.

If you do not pay the fine in full by the payment expiry date , the unpaid fine gets referred to the State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO ) for further action.

You may elect to take the matter to Court, by completing the Court election notice on the fine or reminder notice, within the time allowed for payment. If you do, you should be aware that the Court can increase the amount of the fine, particularly if you have a previous record of other offences.


Fines imposed by the Court

The Court which fines you can only allow a maximum of 28 days to pay. You can obtain further time or make an instalment payment arrangement by completing a written application and lodging it with the Court.

If you do not pay the fine within the time allowed, or do not make all instalment payments required, the fine will be referred to the SDRO for further action.


An overdue fine

All overdue fines are referred to the State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) for enforcement action. The SDRO is a government agency with many powers to collect fines. This occurs whether the unpaid fine was a parking/traffic ticket or 'on the spot ' fine, OR a fine imposed by a Court.

You can still apply for additional time to pay or an instalment payment arrangement. You will need to complete a written application form and send it to the SDRO. (Some applications can be accepted by telephone, contact SDRO on 1300 655 805)

If your fine has been referred to the SDRO, an extra charge is added to the amount of your fine. The SDRO can :

· cancel your driver's license
· cancel your car registration
· seize and sell your personal property (this would be carried out by a Sheriff's officer.)
· arrange to have money taken out of your wages or bank account.

If you still haven't paid your fine or made a time to pay arrangement after these steps have been taken, you will be ordered to do community service work. This is called a Community Service Order. If you do not complete your Community Service Order, you could be put in gaol.


For further information :

Court staff can provide you with information about getting time to pay your Court fine. You can find the Local Court nearest you by looking under 'L' in the White Pages telephone directory or clicking here.

The State Debt Recovery Office can be contacted on :
Telephone : 1300 655 805 , or
Write to : P.O. Box A2571, Sydney South. N.S.W 1235

Because of the large number of cases in the system, it is important to give the Court or SDRO the reference number of your case, or as many details of your case as possible, including your name and address.