Work and Development orders / Permits

Across Australia, Work and Development Orders (WDOs) or Work and Development Permits (WDPs) are statutory fines‑hardship schemes that allow eligible people experiencing hardship (e.g. mental illness, disability, homelessness, substance use, family violence or acute financial hardship) to work off unpaid fines through approved activities such as mental health treatment, counselling, courses or unpaid work, instead of paying money. Participation must be supervised by an approved sponsor/partner, and only the sponsor can apply for the order/permit on the person’s behalf; the sponsor also reports participation to the relevant fines authority each month. 

 

How psychologists become sponsors (by jurisdiction)

• NSW – Work and Development Orders (WDOs): Psychologists may apply as individual WDO sponsors (or operate under an approved organisation). Apply online via Revenue NSW, providing AHPRA registration details, nominated treatment activities (mental health treatment only), insurance, and WWCC if applicable; approved sponsors use the WDO portal for applications and monthly reporting.
• Victoria – Work and Development Permits (WDPs): Psychologists must be accredited as WDP sponsors by Fines Victoria (or work under an accredited organisation). Accreditation is jurisdiction‑specific; sponsors supervise treatment and report via the WDP portal. 
• Queensland – Work and Development Orders (WDOs): Psychologists act as approved Hardship Partners (Sponsors) under SPER. Application is through SPER’s Hardship Partner process; sponsors assess eligibility, submit the WDO, and report monthly compliance. 
• Western Australia – Work and Development Permits (WDPs): Psychologists can apply as individual sponsors to the WA Department of Justice, meeting WA‑specific criteria and reporting attendance via the eCourts system.
• ACT, South Australia, Northern Territory: Each operates a state/territory‑specific fines‑hardship scheme with comparable sponsor roles for health practitioners, but separate approval processes and portals; approval in one jurisdiction does not transfer to another.