A Work and Development Order (WDO) lets people in NSW clear fine debt through activities rather than cash. The single most common question is simply: how much does it actually wipe? The answer is capped, and the cap is the thing most people get wrong. If you want to start one, House of Sadaqa is an approved sponsor and you can begin at the House of Sadaqa WDO page.
How much debt can a WDO clear per month?
Up to $1,000 per month. That is the maximum WDO credit Revenue NSW allows, and it applies no matter which approved activity you do.
If I do two activities at once, do I clear $2,000?
No. The $1,000 monthly cap applies across all your activities combined. Doing voluntary work and a counselling program in the same month does not double your credit. This is the point people most often misunderstand.
So how long will it take to clear my fines?
Divide your total debt by $1,000 and you have the minimum number of months, assuming you hit the cap every month. A $3,500 debt is at least four months. A $12,000 debt is at least a year. Most people do not hit the cap every month, so plan for longer.
Which activities count toward the credit?
Six types are approved: voluntary unpaid work; a course (educational, vocational or life skills); financial or other counselling and case management; medical or mental health treatment; drug or alcohol treatment; and mentoring programs. Volunteering with House of Sadaqa falls under voluntary unpaid work.
Does a WDO cost me anything?
No. A WDO is not a loan and there is no fee to apply. You are clearing debt with time and participation instead of money.
What happens to the debt while the WDO is running?
Enforcement action is generally paused while an active WDO is in place, which is often as valuable as the credit itself if you are facing licence or registration restrictions. Confirm your own situation with Revenue NSW or a financial counsellor.
House of Sadaqa is an approved WDO sponsor in Sydney and takes WDO participants into its warehouse, community programs and events. To start, visit the House of Sadaqa WDO page. Figures on this page are drawn from Revenue NSW; confirm the detail of your own situation with Revenue NSW or a free financial counsellor before relying on it.