Expiation Notices and Court Notices

Expiation Notices

An expiation notice is a fine issued by an Issuing Authority directly under an Act, regulation or by-law in respect of offences, rather than from a Court of Law. Examples of expiation notices are camera related fines; on-the-spot fines; parking fines etc.

If an expiation notice remains outstanding, the Issuing Authority will issue a reminder notice which will include a reminder notice fee.  If the expiation notice is still not dealt with the Issuing Authority may refer the fine to the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit (the Fines Unit) for enforcement.

If an expiation notice is referred for enforcement, significant enforcement fees are added to the amount payable and various enforcement actions may be applied.  The longer the fine remains outstanding, the more serious the sanctions can become.

Court Fines and Pecuniary Sums

A court fine, also referred to as a ‘pecuniary sum’, is a fine handed down by a Judge or Magistrate as part of a Court Order. The fine will include the amount ordered to be paid plus any fees payable (ie: prosecution costs, victims of crime levy).

Issuing Authorities

An Issuing Authority is an authority who can issue fines, by way of expiation notices, for alleged offences. Issuing Authorities include the police force, government agencies, statutory authorities and councils.

The Fines Unit provides a service to Issuing Authorities in the recovery of debts owed on court fines and outstanding expiation notices. Over 100 Issuing Authorities across the state lodge overdue fines with the Fines Unit, and fines lodged include parking fines, speeding and traffic infringements, environmental and safety fines, as well ‘failure to vote’ fines.