Work Development Program WDP
Since 1 July 2017 The Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme has provided vulnerable and disadvantaged people with non-financial options to address their fine debt/s. This scheme allows those eligible to work off their fine debts by partnering with an approved charity like The Break.
One of the best things about this scheme is that by working in conjunction with the charity, a person can choose the activities that are most suited to them – this creates a win-win for participants and the charity.
The types of activities that a person can undertake to pay off their debts includes: (listed in bold are options provided by the Break):
- unpaid work*
- treatment given by a doctor, nurse or psychologist
- courses, including educational, vocational or life skills courses
- counselling, including financial, vocational, or other types of counselling*
- drug and alcohol counselling*
- mentoring (for a person under 25 years of age)
To Qualify in this WDP scheme
You must be under the supervision of an approved sponsor – A sponsor is an organisation or a health practitioner accredited by the Director, Fines Victoria.
You must must also have one or more of the following:
- have a mental or intellectual disability, disorder or illness, (e.g., letter from GP/counsellor)
- have an addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance, (e.g., letter from GP/counsellor)
- be experiencing homelessness, (e.g., letter from homelessness service)
- be experiencing acute financial hardship, (e.g., Centrelink healthcare card)
- be the victim of family violence (e.g., letter from GP or Domestic violence service)
Follow this link to apply for the Work and Development Permit (WDP) scheme: Work and Development Permit guidelines and consent form (PDF, 466.9 KB) Please contact our office on 1300 819 111 or email info@thebreak.org.au if you have questions or require assistance with your application.
Once we receive your completed consent form and application, our friendly staff will register you with the WDP headquarters. Once approved, our staff will call you to arrange a pre-interview so we can get you started on the WDP Scheme with us
Reasons why your application may not be approved:
- 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.
- payment (External link) (including payment by instalments), or
- internal review (External link) (including on the grounds of special circumstances), or
- enforcement review (External link), or
- electing to have a matter determined by a Magistrate (External link), or
- the family violence scheme (External link).