Community Support Progam

Work & Development Permit Scheme (WDP)

The Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme is a new initiative to provide vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a non-financial option to address their fine debt. A WDP allows an eligible person to work off their fine debt by participating in certain activities and treatment. The WDP scheme commenced on 1 July 2017.

A person must undertake a WDP under the supervision of a sponsor. A sponsor is an organisation or a health practitioner accredited by the Director, Fines Victoria to support the WDP scheme. Springvale Neighbourhood House is an accredited organisation to sponsor individuals to carry out the WDP Scheme.

To participate in the WDP scheme a person must be engaged with SNH and must:

  • have a mental or intellectual disability, disorder or illness

  • have an addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance

  • be experiencing homelessness

  • be experiencing acute financial hardship, or

  • be the victim of family violence.

The types of activities that a person can undertake as part of a WDP include:

  • unpaid work

  • treatment given by a doctor, nurse or psychologist

  • courses, including educational, vocational or life skills courses

  • counselling, including financial or other types of counselling

  • drug and alcohol counselling, and

  • mentoring (for a person under 25 years of age).

When applying for a WDP, we will help you choose the activities that are best suited to your needs.

An eligible person can undertake a WDP to reduce or work off their infringement fine debt. There are some circumstances in which a fine cannot be included in a WDP, for example if:

  • a person has been served a seven day notice in relation to the fine and the seven day notice period has expired

  • the person has been arrested

  • property has been seized in relation to the fine, or

  • the fine is a court fine.

While a person is undertaking a WDP, enforcement activity is suspended in relation to the fines that are subject to the WDP.

Please click on Contact Us button below to find more informaiton and apply for WDP Scheme: