What is the WDP?
The Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme provides vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a non-financial option to address their fine or debts with Fines Victoria. WDP allows an eligible person to work off their fine or debts by participating with an approved charity like Africause. The WDP scheme commenced on 1 July 2017.
A person must undertake WDP under the supervision of a sponsor. A sponsor is an organisation or a health practitioner accredited by the Director, Fines Victoria to support the WDP scheme. To apply click the button below.
The Africause Organisation is one such sponsor and can assist suitable clients to deal with their fine debt.
Only a sponsor may apply for a WDP on behalf of an eligible person.
Who can apply?
To participate in the WDP scheme a person who engages meets eligibility via having one or more of the following:
- have a mental or intellectual disability, disorder or illness, or
- have an addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance, or
- be experiencing homelessness, or
- be experiencing acute financial hardship, or
- be the victim of family violence.
How to apply?
- Please ensure you are eligible
- Please complete the Intake form attached (use the Apply to join the Africause’s WDP scheme) button at the top of this page. On the form, we need from your information required by WDP headquarters so you and your fines can be identified. You will need to provide your personal contact details, obligation number off your fines, and the location where your fines were acquired. To assist us with finding you appropriate work or counselling please provide a resume or CV (if you have one – or at least a list of skills you have), your availability to participate, and any physical (or other) restrictions that may impact your participation.
After filling up our intake form, please download the consent form, complete it, sign it and send us a copy via email to: wdp@africause.org.au
- Following this, our friendly staff will contact you for an interview and to assist with registration.
- Otherwise, contact our office on (03) 90421604 or send us an email using wdp@africause.org.au
How will I pay my fines?
The types of activities that a person can undertake with us under the WDP program includes:
- unpaid work
- courses, including educational, vocational or life skills courses
- mentoring (for a person under 25 years of age).
When applying for WDP, Africause will help a person to choose the activities that are best suited to their needs. We seek to create a win-win, where your needs are met as well as the charity’s where possible.
An eligible person can undertake a WDP to reduce or work off their infringement fine debt, however, there are some circumstances in which a fine cannot be included in a WDP. For example if:
- a person has been served a seven-day notice in relation to the fine and the seven day notice period has expired
- the person has been arrested
- property has been seized in relation to the fine, or
- the fine is a court fine.
While a person is undertaking a WDP, enforcement activity is suspended in relation to the fines that are subject to the WDP.
Full WDP Guidelines
The WDP scheme is established under Part 2A of the Fines Reform Act 2014. The scheme is supported by the WDP Guidelines. The WDP Guidelines are made by the Attorney-General under section 10L of the Fines Reform Act 2014 and set out certain requirements and details relating to the scheme.
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Please confirm the 3 steps to join Africause’s WDP scheme:
- Please complete the Intake form attached (using the Apply to join the Africause’s WDP scheme)
- Download, complete and sign the Consent form provided. Email it to wdp@africause.org.au
- Following this, our friendly staff will contact you for an interview and to assist with further steps and communication.
- If you have problems applying online, please contact our office on (03) 90421604 or send us an email to wdp@africause.org.au