Work and Development Orders
Work and Development Orders (WDOs) assist you to clear unpaid fines issued by Revenue NSW. Westbourne College is an approved WDO Sponsor in NSW. We offer educational and life skill courses tailored to help individuals settle fines at a rate of $50.00 per hour, up to a maximum of $1,000.00 per month.
WHAT IS THE WORK DEVELOPMENT ORDER (WDO) PROGRAM?
The WDO Scheme, an initiative by the NSW government, offers a solution for vulnerable individuals to address their unpaid fines (penalty notices and court fines) through alternative activities instead of monetary payments.
WDOs are overseen by designated organisations or health professionals known as WDO sponsors, who are authorised by the NSW government for this purpose. Revenue NSW, Legal Aid NSW, and the Department of Justice administer the WDO scheme, and participation is entirely voluntary.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Eligibility for participation in the WDO program extends to individuals facing homelessness, coping with mental illness, intellectual disability, cognitive impairment, severe addiction to drugs or alcohol, or experiencing acute financial hardship (e.g., reliant on Centrelink benefits).
WDOs are supervised by approved sponsors, and any enforcement actions related to unpaid fines, such as license restrictions, are lifted upon initiation of the WDO.
DO I QUALIFY FOR A WDO?
- I receive a Centrelink benefit
- I am in financial hardship
- I am homeless or living in a temporary housing
- I have a serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or other substances
- I have mental illness
- I have an intellectual disability
- I have cognitive impairment (such as autism, brain injury or dementia)
- I am under 18 years of age