Court ordered fines
As punishment for committing an offence such as stealing, drink driving or fraud, a Queensland court may decide to fine you. The court will make an order for you to pay once the magistrate or judge has decided your fine. The court may give you a time to pay the fine (e.g. 3 months) and may order another punishment (e.g. imprisonment) if you do not pay your fine in time.
After court
In most cases, the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) will manage your fine and send you an enforcement order telling you the amount you have to pay.
You can:
- pay in full
- apply for an instalment plan
- apply to change your fine to unpaid community service.
You must act on this before the date on your enforcement order.
If you do not act in time, SPER may suspend your driver licence, take money from your salary or bank account, and seize and sell your car or house. You may have to pay extra fees when SPER does this. Learn more about overdue fine penalties.
In some circumstances, the court will manage your fine rather than SPER. For example, if the court orders an instalment plan, or you to come back to court for failing to pay the fine, they can choose to manage your fine. If this is the case, you will receive an Advice of Conviction from the court listing your rights and payment options.
You cannot choose to go to court again simply because you want to. If you did not originally attend court when your offence was heard and you disagree with the fine, you may apply to have your matter re-heard. You need to contact the court that heard your offence within 2 months of getting your order. If you did attend court when your offence was heard, but you think the fine is wrong and based on a factual or legal error, you can request a reopening. You need to contact the court that made your order within 28 days. Seek legal advice first, as you might face extra costs by asking for a rehearing or reopening. If SPER is managing your fine, let them know once you have a reopening or rehearing date. Learn more about disputing a fine.
Ways to pay
Contact SPER to act on your court-ordered fine. In most cases, SPER will manage your fine as soon as your fine is more than 28 days old. SPER’s fine payment options are below. If the court is managing your fine, refer to your Advice of Conviction letter for payment options.
Pay in full
You can pay your fine in full online, over the phone, in person or by post.
Online
Pay online using BPOINT (recommended option).
Pay online by BPAY (see your enforcement order for details).
Over the phone
Call 1300 742 962 (BPOINT) or 1300 365 635 (SPER) (8am–6pm, Monday–Friday) to pay over the phone using a credit card. Have your fine reference number ready when you call.
In person
Visit any Australia Post office, Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office to pay by cash or card.
By post
Post a cheque or money order to SPER. Make your cheque or money order payable to the ‘State Penalties Enforcement Registry’ or ‘SPER’.
The Registrar
SPER
GPO Box 1387
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Apply to pay over time
SPER can arrange to take regular payments from your bank account, credit card or Centrelink payment every week, fortnight or month. You can apply online (preferred option), over the phone, in person, or by post or fax.
Online
You can apply to pay online via BPOINT.
By phone
Call 1300 365 635 (8am–6pm, Monday–Friday) to complete your application over the phone.
In person
Print and complete the application form. Hand it in at any Magistrates Court or QGAP office.
By post
Print and complete the application form, then post it to SPER.
The Registrar
SPER
GPO Box 1387
BRISBANE QLD 4001
By fax
Print and complete the application form, then fax it to SPER on 3109 1684.
Apply to change your fine to unpaid community service
If you cannot afford to pay your fine, you may be able to do unpaid community service instead. SPER will complete a financial check to see if you are suitable. You will need to work 1 hour of community service for every $22 of your fine. Community service cannot pay off all fines, even if your financial situation meets the criteria.
Community service is not available for:
- compensation
- restitution
- offender debt recovery orders
- debt which you have been arrested for (on a warrant issued by SPER)
- debt that you have already done community service for.
If your application is approved, you must report to your nearest Probation and Parole office—they will give you a community service project.
Find out more from SPER about community service requirements, processes and exceptions.
To find out if you are eligible, contact SPER online, by phone, in person, or by post or fax.
Online
Complete the online enquiry form.
By phone
Call 1300 365 635 (8am – 6pm, Monday–Friday) to complete your application over the phone.
In person
Fill out the application form and hand it in at your local Magistrates Court or Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office.
By post
Fill out the application form and post it to SPER.
The Registrar
SPER
GPO Box 1387
BRISBANE QLD 4001
By fax
Fill out the application form and fax it to SPER on (07) 3109 1684.
