Work and Development Order

Managing Fines Through Approved Activities

The Work and Development Order (WDO) scheme is a practical way to support vulnerable people experiencing trouble with paying their fines. Eligible participants can clear their unpaid fines by undertaking approved activities such as unpaid work, TAFE and life skills courses, counselling, and treatment programs. 

 The WDO scheme is delivered through the partnership of Legal Aid NSW, Revenue NSW, and the Department of Communities and Justice. WDOs are supervised by sponsors within the community, which may include government agencies, non-government agencies, and health practitioners. 

The Hunter Volunteer Centre is an approved organisation that assists people in finding activities to complete their WDO. We make every effort to ensure clients undertake activities tailored to their needs so they can reduce their unpaid fines. HVC can also refer clients to other services for undertaking voluntary work as part of their WDO.

The Hunter Volunteer Centre is pleased to announce we are an approved organisation to assist people under the Work and Development (WDO) Scheme.

Effect of Work and Development Orders

Since its inception, the WDO scheme has approved over 219,000 WDOs and cleared more than $298 million in debt. Approximately 60% of WDOs are closed with zero debt balance.

Early statistics indicated 82.5% of WDO clients did not receive another fine following approval of their WDO. Approximately 40% of these individuals were repeat offenders, having received four or more penalties in the two years preceding their WDO. While a WDO may not be the only reason for a person’s commitment to law-abiding behaviour, it can motivate individuals to develop skills, provide an incentive to work, increase employment opportunities, and build self-esteem.

Eligibility and Application Process for a WDO

Eligible participants must first apply for a WDO. Participants may be eligible if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

are experiencing extreme financial hardship, which may include reliance on a Centrelink benefit

have a mental illness

are homeless

have a serious drug and alcohol addiction

have a cognitive impairment or intellectual disability

under the age of 18.

Your application for a WDO must be supported by a health practitioner or an approved organisation that will act as your sponsor. Your sponsor will apply for the WDO on your behalf. WDO sponsors can be found by:

asking a health practitioner you already know or a community organisation, including the Hunter Volunteer Centre

searching for a WDO sponsor on the NSW Government website.