Fines Self-Help Kit

If you have a good reason for getting the fine, you can apply to the agency (Police, the local council etc) that issued the fine to withdraw it and give you an official warning instead. In Victoria, this is called “internal review”.

You can also make an application to the Family Violence Scheme to have your fines waived.

Make sure you read our fines fact sheets before you start writing your application for internal review. We recommend you contact us before you send any forms.

On this page

When can I apply for a review?
Special circumstances review
Special Circumstances templates:
Exceptional circumstances review
Exception Circumstances forms/templates
Family Violence Scheme
Family Violence Scheme forms/templates
How to use the templates
How do I get a support letter?
Other information

When can I apply for a review?

There are two main situations where you can apply for internal review – when you have ‘special circumstances’ or when you have ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Special circumstances review

‘Special circumstances’ mean that you couldn’t avoid getting the fine because of your circumstances such as :

Having an intellectual disability (ID) acquired brain injury (ABI) or cognitive impairment
Mental health issues
Drug or alcohol addiction issues
Homelessness, including sleeping rough, couch-surfing, staying in refuges, crisis accommodation or transitional accommodation
Family violence (the stand alone Family Violence Scheme may be better, speak to Youthlaw for advice about this).

You will usually need to send a letter from someone like a doctor, psychologist, alcohol or drug counsellor or housing worker explaining your circumstances.

Special Circumstances templates:

You can use one of these if:

you have received an Infringement Notice, or
a Penalty Reminder Noticeand
AND you had special circumstances when you received the fine.

Special circumstances internal review templates:

Special circumstances internal review template Department of Transport

Special circumstances internal review template Fines Victoria

Here’s an example of a filled out form:

Special circumstances internal review example

Exceptional circumstances review

You can also have your fine reviewed if you have ‘exceptional circumstances’. There is no definition or list but here are examples of common ones.

there was an emergency (for example, you were driving your brother to the hospital when he was having an asthma attack)
you were very sick or have a chronic illness
At the time of the fine you were in a domestic violence relationship
you experienced a traumatic event on the day (for example, you found out about a death in the family)
something happened that was completely out of your control (such as if your wallet was stolen and it had your concession card in it)
you couldn’t avoid getting the fine (eg. your bank cards stopped working and you couldn’t get money to top up your Myki)
other extenuating circumstances (such as you left your disability parking permit at work and couldn’t get it until the office opened again).

You will usually need proof of what happened. For example, in the cases above, you could provide: your brother’s hospital records, a letter from your doctor, a copy of your Intervention Order (FVIO/PSIO), a death certificate, a police report, a letter from the bank or a copy of your disability parking permit.

Exception Circumstances forms/templates

Use one of these templates (see below for how to use the templates) if:

you have received an Infringement Notice
or a Penalty Reminder Notice
you believe there was a mistake in issuing the fine (for example, you were not the person who incurred the fine)
there were exceptional circumstances when you received the fine.

Exceptional circumstances internal review template Department of Transport

Exceptional circumstances internal review template Fines Victoria

Here’s an example of a filled in template.

Exceptional circumstances internal review example

Family Violence Scheme

There is now a stand alone Family Violence Scheme that assists in dealing with fines where:

The fines were incurred as a result of family violence; or
You were unable to nominate a driver due to family violence.

Family Violence Scheme forms/templates

You can use this template at any stage if the fines are not paid and it is prior to any enforcement action

You will need to provide evidence in support of this application (either a court order or a support letter).

Family Violence Scheme forms/templates (to be drafted).

Family Violence Scheme application example (to be drafted).

How to use the templates

You will need to fill in your personal details and information about your fine where the text is bold. Only fill in the sections that apply to you and remember to unbold the text before you send it.
Instructions are in italics – delete the instructions before you send your application.
You may need to change the address on the template – depending on which agency gave you the fine (it is usually on the top right corner of your Infringement Notice).

If you have any questions, you can contact Youthlaw by calling (03) 9611 2412 or drop in to Frontyard Youth services, 19 King Street Melbourne on Fridays between 1pm and 4.30pm.

How do I get a support letter?

make an appointment with your GP, psychologist, alcohol or drug (AOD) counsellor or housing worker
ask if they will write a support letter to help you with your fine.

Sometimes a GP or psychologist may charge money for writing a support letter, so ask them.

You can show this guide to your GP, psychologist, alcohol and drug (AOD) counsellor or housing worker so they know what to write in the letter.

Other information

You can read more information about internal review at the following websites: