Unpaid fines have a way of snowballing. A missed payment turns into extra fees, then a licence suspension or debt referred to Revenue NSW. If paying in cash is not realistic right now, there is another way. A Work and Development Order, or WDO, lets eligible people in New South Wales clear Revenue NSW fines through community work, courses, treatment, or counselling instead of money.
What is a Work and Development Order?
A WDO is a three-way agreement between you, Revenue NSW, and an approved sponsor organisation. Instead of paying a fine, you complete approved activities, and the value of those activities is credited against your debt. The scheme is well established: more than 87,000 people have used it over the past five years to clear over $200 million in fines.
Who is eligible
WDOs are designed for people facing genuine hardship. According to Revenue NSW, you may be eligible if you are experiencing hardship and fall into one of these groups:
- You are homeless
- You are in acute financial or economic hardship
- You have a mental illness
- You have an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment
- You have a serious addiction to drugs, alcohol, or another substance
What activities count
Depending on what each sponsor is approved to offer, activities can include supervised unpaid work, life skills or financial courses, counselling, medical or mental health treatment, drug and alcohol treatment, and mentoring programs for young people. Time spent on these reduces your fine at set rates, up to $1,000 each month.
How House of Sadaqa can help
House of Sadaqa is an approved WDO sponsor. That means you can complete supervised community work with us, such as sorting and packing donations, helping in the warehouse, or supporting distribution days, and have those hours count toward clearing your Revenue NSW fines. It is meaningful work that helps local families, and our team guides you through the paperwork so it does not feel overwhelming.
How to get started
You can register your interest through our Work and Development Orders page, and we will help you take the next step. You can also speak with a financial counsellor or a legal service, who can help you apply and connect you with an approved sponsor. If you would like to help in the community more broadly, take a look at our volunteer opportunities too.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for a Work and Development Order?
Revenue NSW sets the criteria. You may be eligible if you are experiencing hardship and are homeless, in acute economic hardship, have a mental illness, have an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment, or have a serious addiction. A financial counsellor or approved sponsor can help you check.
How much of my fine can a WDO clear?
Approved activities reduce your debt at set rates, up to a maximum of $1,000 per month. There is no cost to you or the sponsor to take part.
Does volunteering with House of Sadaqa count?
Yes. As an approved WDO sponsor, House of Sadaqa can offer supervised unpaid community work that counts toward clearing your Revenue NSW fines.
Is taking part voluntary?
Yes. Participation in a WDO is completely voluntary, and you can stop at any time.
This article is general information only. Eligibility rules, approved activities and reduction rates are set by Revenue NSW and can change. Check the current details with Revenue NSW or a financial counsellor before you apply.
Support the work behind this article
House of Sadaqa is a registered Australian charity helping local families in crisis with household essentials, whitegoods and emergency relief. There are three direct ways to be part of it:
- Donate, with donations over $2 tax-deductible
- Volunteer your time in the warehouse, on outreach runs, or at events
- Clear a NSW fine through a Work and Development Order
You can also support us without donating a cent, simply by choosing one of our social enterprises. Each one puts its profits back into supporting families:
- Goodwill Connect, NBN internet for Greater Sydney
- Panda Paper, premium bamboo toilet paper delivered to your door
- The Goodwill Laundry, self-serve laundry in Bankstown
- The Goodwill Shop, our op-shops in Revesby and Bankstown