Paying overdue fines
The State Penalties Enforcement Registry (known as SPER) collects and enforces overdue fines in Queensland.
Penalties
Extra fees
On the spot fines, and fines posted to you soon after an offence (called infringement notices), go to SPER to manage after 28 days if you do not pay them. Your fine increases by $56.90 straightaway. Court-ordered fines go to SPER immediately; there is no extra fee for this.
SPER will send an enforcement order to your last known address. This will give you a date to:
- pay in full
- apply to pay by instalments
- apply to change your fine to unpaid community service
- choose to go to court (this is your last chance to choose to go to court)—for on the spot fines only.
SPER may add $95.20 if you do not act in the set time.
Driver licence suspension
Your licence may be suspended if you do nothing about your enforcement order. This applies to all kinds of fines, not just traffic fines. Suspension means you cannot drive any vehicle in Queensland on any licence (e.g. another state’s licence or a work licence).
SPER will send a Notice of Intention to Suspend Driver Licence to your last known address. You have 14 days to act before the Department of Transport and Main Roads suspends your licence. The suspension will be recorded on your licence history, which Queensland Police have access to.
You must do one of the following to avoid losing your licence, or to get your licence back:
- pay your Notice of Intention to Suspend Driver Licence in full
- apply to pay by instalments with SPER
- apply to change your fine to unpaid community service.
Bank account or salary collection
SPER may order your bank to take money from your account or order your employer to take money from your salary to pay your fine if you do nothing about your enforcement order before the due date. SPER will send a fine collection notice to your bank or employer and a copy to your last known address. SPER may take regular payments or the full fine amount. A fine collection notice is a compulsory order—you cannot appeal it; and trying to stop it (e.g. by taking money out of your account) is a crime (you can be fined up to $1500).
Seizing your property
SPER will take stronger action if you continue to do nothing about your fine and if SPER cannot get the funds from your bank or employer. SPER can take away and sell your property, including your car and house.
Arrest and imprisonment
If you fail to act on an enforcement order within the time specified, SPER can also arrange for your arrest and imprisonment by sending a warrant to the Queensland Police Service.
Ways to pay
Contact SPER to take action on your overdue fine. SPER will manage your fine as soon as your fine is more than 28 days old.
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 or Notice of Intention to Suspend Driver Licence 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 if you have received an enforcement order. 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.
Over the 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 (07) 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 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 see 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.
Choose to go to court
It is recommended that you seek legal advice before deciding to dispute any fine in court. If you are unsuccessful, you will most likely need to pay more than the cost of the original fine (as the court will add extra fees).
If you choose to go to court, the agency who first gave you your fine will set this up with the right court. You do not have to tell the court.
By post
Complete the section on your infringement notice or enforcement order and send it back to the address listed on the fine.
