What is a Work and Development Order (WDO)?

Work and Development Orders (WDOs) are a way to help people who can’t pay their fines.
People who are eligible for a WDO can clear their fines with approved activities instead of money.

You may be unable to pay a Revenue NSW fine or overdue fine/s due to:

• mental illness, intellectual disability or cognitive impairment
• addiction to drugs, alcohol or other substances
• homelessness
• extreme financial hardship.

In these cases you may be eligible for a WDO instead of a payment plan.

https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/cant-pay-your-debt

Revenue NSW – WDO Hotline 1300 478 879

How a WDO works

If you’re eligible for a WDO, you can pay off or reduce a fine by:

• doing unpaid Voluntary work such as Cleaning, or Yard Maintenance
• taking a course such as ‘Sorted‘, ‘Empower‘ or an Anglicare Parenting Course or
• receiving treatment.

When your application for a Work and Development Order (WDO) is approved, you will:

• be supported by an approved WDO sponsor

• and agree with your WDO Sponsor about the activities you will complete to pay off all or part of the fine or penalty

Under a WDO, both you and your WDO Sponsor must agree to our terms and conditions. Following are some of the more important rules you need to know.

Find a WDO Sponsor

Click on logos below or check out others at Revenue NSW – Find a WDO Sponsor

The benefits of WDOs

A WDO can help people who are finding it hard to clear a government debt to make a fresh start.

Watch these Legal Aid NSW videos below to learn about how WDOs have helped people pay their fines and move on with their lives.