Infringements information

Your options to deal with an infringement notice:

• Payment and payment options

  The fastest way to pay your fine is online. Have your payment reference number handy. It is usually found on the top-right corner of your fine.

  Pay your fine.

• Pay in person

  Before the due date, visit one of our Customer Service Counters and present your Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice.

• Post your payment

  Post your cheque or money order (do not send cash) along with the infringement details to:

  City of Port Phillip
  Private Bag 3 St Kilda
  Victoria Australia 3182

• Request a payment extension

  If you have received a fine and can’t pay by the due date, you can apply for more time to pay.

  To apply for an extension or payment plan, call our Assist team on 03 9209 6777. Please have your infringement number ready.

  Your application will be assessed by officers from the team that issued the infringement.

  You may not be eligible for an extension if:

  • you have defaulted on a previous extension for the same infringement notice
  • your infringement has escalated to the Magistrates’ Court, Childrens’ Court or Fines Victoria
  • the fine is a court fine issued by the Magistrates’ Court or Childrens’ Court.

• If you cannot apply online

  If you cannot apply online, you will need to submit your request in writing by mail. We need to know:

  • your infringement number
  • your name
  • your postal address
  • the minimum time required to make payment, noting that requests over three months may be refused.

  If you need help, call us on 03 9209 6777 and ask to speak with the relevant enforcement team listed on the infringement notice.

  Post your application and any supporting documents to:
  City of Port Phillip
  Private Bag 3
  St Kilda Victoria Australia 3182

  Or you may submit your application in person at one of our customer service counters.

• Exceptional circumstances: the offence occurred due to an extraordinary or unavoidable situation

  Only select this ground if you can show that the offence occurred due to circumstances that were out of the ordinary, unavoidable, or exceptional. For example:

  • a medical emergency
  • you don’t own the animal anymore
  • you don’t own the vehicle anymore.

• Contrary to law: the fine is invalid or was improperly issued to you

  You can apply under this ground if you believe that Council’s decision to fine you was inconsistent with the law. For example:

  • the officer who issued the fine acted unlawfully, improperly or outside their authority
  • the fine does not comply with the legal requirements of an infringement notice.

• Mistake of identity: the fine was issued to the wrong person

  Use this reason if you have evidence to show you were not the person who committed the offence. For example:

  • you are not the person involved and listed on the infringement notice
  • you have the same name as another person and the wrong person received the fine.

• Person unaware: you did not know about the fine

  You can request a review under this ground if all of the following apply:

  • you have received a penalty reminder notice
  • you found out about the fine within the last 14 days
  • the fine was not personally given to you by an officer.

  If you moved house but you did not change your authorised address with the relevant agency (for example, VicRoads) within 14 days of moving, your application may not be successful.

  Your application may not be successful without evidence showing you did not know about the fine. This could be:

  • a copy of your passport or boarding pass showing you were overseas
  • an invoice from a removalist showing that you moved house
  • a VicRoads address change confirmation
  • a report about mail theft.

  You must submit your application within 14 days of the date you knew about the fine.

  If your application is successful, any fees added to your fine will be removed. You will be given a further 21 days to deal with your fine.

• Special circumstances: you have serious personal issues, disorders or difficulties

  These circumstances are very specific. You should only select this reason if you committed the offence and can show that:

  • at the time of the offence any of these circumstances applied. You:
    • had a mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness
    • had a serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance
    • were homeless
    • were a victim of family violence, or
  • you cannot deal with your fines because of severe disabling long-term circumstances. The circumstances did not have to exist at the time of the offence.

  You will need to provide evidence from a qualified practitioner or agency to support your application. For more information on what is required and how to apply, see: Special Circumstances. 

• Family Violence Scheme

  The Family Violence Scheme is an option to help victim survivors deal with fines, if there is a link between the family violence and their fines.

  See: Family Violence Scheme for more information and assistance.

Internal review (appeal) of an infringement

• What happens after you apply

  Once you finish and send your request, your fine will be placed on hold. No further fees will be added.

  We will review your request within 90 days of receiving your application. Your application is assessed based on the information and evidence you provide.

  It may take longer if you are asked to provide more information. If you do not respond to our request for information, your application may be reviewed based on the information available.

  Once a decision has been made, you will receive notice of the outcome by post to the address provided in your application. If you change your address during this time, please contact us to update your details.

  If your application is successful, depending on the grounds you applied under, we can decide to:

  • withdraw the fine and take no further action against you
  • withdraw the fine and issue an official warning instead
  • refer the matter to the Magistrates' Court (or the Children's Court if you're under 18)
  • approve a payment plan
  • waive or vary any fees associated with the fine
  • waive or vary any additional steps imposed by the fine

  If the application is not successful, you will receive a notice by mail to confirm:

  • our decision
  • how much you need to pay
  • when you need to pay it by
  • any other options available to you.

  If your application is not successful, you can apply to have your matter heard in the Magistrates' Court. This gives you (or your representative) a chance to present your evidence in front of a magistrate. The magistrate will make a decision about your matter.

  Please provide your current address and contact details so we can contact you if required.

• If you cannot apply online

  If you cannot apply for a review online, you will need to submit your request in writing by mail. We need to know:

  • your infringement number
  • your name
  • your postal address.

  If you need help, call us on 03 9209 6777.

  Post your application and any supporting documents to:
  City of Port Phillip
  Private Bag 3 St Kilda
  Victoria, Australia 3182

  Or you may submit your application in person via one of our customer service counters.

• When you can go to court

  Check the stage your fine is at. This can be found at the top of your most recent notice.

  If your fine is at infringement notice, or penalty reminder notice stage, you can apply to have your matter heard in the Magistrates' Court (or the Children's Court if you are under 18 years of age).

  If your infringement has already escalated to the Magistrates’ Court or Fines Victoria, you cannot apply to Council to go to Court. You need to contact the Court or Fines Victoria directly.

• What happens after you apply?

  If your application to go to court is accepted:

  • the matter will be listed at the Magistrates' Court (or the Children's Court if you are under 18 years of age)
  • you will be notified or a date, time and location when you may need to appear before the court. This is called a hearing.

  If you don't go to your hearing, the court can decide the matter in your absence.

• Possible outcomes of a court hearing

  The magistrate will hear your case. They may decide to:

  • record a conviction if they find you guilty
  • issue you with a new fine (the penalty may be either more, the same, or less, than the amount on your Infringement Notice)
  • dismiss or discharge your case
  • adjourn (delay) the matter
  • order you to do unpaid community work.

• If you cannot apply online

  If you want to take your matter to court but you don’t want to apply online, you can make your request in writing and post it. We need to know:

  • your infringement number
  • your name
  • your postal address.

  If you need help, call us on 03 9209 6777.

  Post your application and any supporting documents to:
  City of Port Phillip
  Private Bag 3 St Kilda
  Victoria, Australia 3182

  Or you may submit your application in person via one of our customer service counters.