PLEASE CALL 000 IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING FAMILY VIOLENCE AND IT IS AN EMERGENCY

What is the Family Violence Scheme?

Fines Victoria's Family Violence Scheme helps victim survivors with fines if there is a link between the family violence and their fines.

The scheme allows your infringement fine(s) to be withdrawn if:

• you are a victim of family violence, and
• the family violence was one of the main reasons why you were unable to:

• control the conduct for which you received the fine, or
• name the driver that committed the offence.

What fines cannot be included in my application?

The scheme covers most infringement fines, but you cannot include a fine in your application if it was:

• issued by a court
• issued to company
• for an offence against local council laws (except parking fines)
• for drink/drug-driving or drink/drug-boating
• for excessive speeding (more than 25km/h over the limit or over 130km/h).

You are unable to apply for the Family Violence Scheme if:

• you have paid the fine in full
• the fine has been referred to court
• you have received a seven-day notice that has expired or you waived the seven-day period
• a Sheriff's officer has seized your vehicle
• the Director, Fines Victoria has:

• made an attachment of earnings or debt direction
• recorded a charge over land that you own.

How do I apply?

The easiest way to apply is by completing the Family Violence Scheme application form (PDF, 2.07MB). Your application must:

• be in writing (you can type into the application form)
• provide your current postal address
• list the eligible fines you want included
• explain how being a victim of family violence substantially contributed to you getting the fine
• provide evidence to support your application.

Fines Victoria's Guide to the Family Violence Scheme (PDF, 660KB) provides detailed guidance on what evidence to include.

You can submit your form and supporting documents:

You can authorise a person to apply for the family violence scheme for you – such as a lawyer, guardian, financial counsellor, friend or family member.

We handle all applicants' information confidentially and in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Health Records Act 2001.

We will not share your information with the perpetrator of the family violence.

What happens after I apply?

Once we receive your application, we put your fines on hold. Once a decision is made, we will send you the outcome in writing.

If you are eligible for the Family Violence Scheme, your fines can be:

• withdrawn (no further action will be taken against you and any demerit points will be withdrawn); or
• put on hold so you can nominate the responsible driver within six months (if this is what you request).

If you are not eligible for the scheme, you have 21 days to take action to deal with your fines.

Where can I go for more guidance?

The Guide to the Family Violence Scheme (PDF, 660KB) gives more detailed guidance on the scheme.

You can also get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 1300 019 983 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).

• Helen's story (trigger warning)

  The day a Victoria Police officer stopped Helen* and advised her that her driver licence had been suspended was the day Helen realised how extensively her ex-husband's control and actions continued to affect her life.

  Helen knew that her ex-husband had used her car without her permission. What she did not know was that he had received multiple speeding fines while driving her car, which he had hidden from her. These fines had caused Helen to lose her licence without her knowledge.

  Helen needed her licence to collect her children from school on time or her ex-husband would attempt to collect them and possibly harm them. Helen also needed her licence to leave her home when her ex-husband would attend unannounced.

  Helen contacted Fines Victoria and explained her situation to a family violence team member. Helen explained that her ex-husband had isolated her from her friends and family, physically, verbally, and emotionally abused her and her children and hidden her mail, including her licence suspension notice.

  The Family Violence Scheme team member was able to provide Helen with guidance, and she lodged an application the next day.

  Helen was found eligible for the Family Violence Scheme, and all fines were withdrawn. Due to the safety risk to Helen and her family, the Family Violence Scheme team also contacted VicRoads to request Helen's demerit points be reversed urgently. Within 24 hours, Helen was able to drive lawfully again.

  *Names changed to protect privacy

For more information on the Family Violence Scheme, please call 1300 019 983 or email [email protected].