Are you in Australia on
a Bridging Visa? Have
you received a fine?
There are different options for dealing
with fines
1
Pay the fine
You can pay the fine by the due date. You can
make part payments, as long as you pay in full
by the due date on the penalty reminder notice.
2
Enter a payment plan
If you can’t afford to pay the fine in time, you can
enter a payment plan which allows you to pay the
fine over time.
3
Write off the fine
If you have extreme circumstances, you may
be able to request that the overdue fine be
cancelled.
4
Work and Development Order
Instead of paying the fine, you can complete “WDO
activities” you can clear the debt. WDO activities
include, unpaid work, training and life skills courses,
counselling, financial counselling, treatment programs or mentoring (for under 25s).
5
Internal review
If you believe a penalty notice should not have been
issued to you, you can apply to SDRO for an internal
review of the fine.
6
Court election
You can choose to dispute a penalty notice by electing to going to court.
!
Receiving a fine, even when it is not a serious
fine can have consequences for your Bridging
Visa E and may mean you have breached
your Visa conditions.
Before you elect to go to court you should
seek legal advice
If you go to court, you may get
a criminal conviction that could
affect your immigration status.
If you are unsuccessful in disputing the fine
at court, you could get a criminal conviction.
This could mean that:
• Your bridging visa may be cancelled and
you could be detained
• There may also be implications for
future visa applications
Try to avoid going to court - seek
legal help before signing this form
“Criminal conduct” can have serious consequences if you hold a Bridging Visa E, whether you have
signed the Code of Behaviour or not. This could mean that:
• Your bridging visa may be cancelled and you could be detained
• Your application for another kind of visa may be refused because you don’t “pass the character
test”
If you receive a fine, a criminal charge or criminal conviction and hold a Bridging Visa E, get
immigration advice about what to do now that you may have breached conditions on your Bridging
Visa. If your bridging visa has been cancelled you only have 48 hours to appeal. Get help from a
migration agent as soon as possible.
Please note this factsheet contains general information only. It does not constitute legal or migration advice.
Want more information?
FOR FINES ADVICE
Justice Connect MOSAIC
(02) 8599 2101
FOR IMMIGRATION ADVICE:
RACS
(02) 9114 1600
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am – 11.30am