Rising unpaid fines debt in Wagga Wagga means residents need to seek help as soon as possible, Legal Aid NSW says.
The call comes after the service revealed that there has been a 22% increase in Wagga residents paying off fines with Work and Development Orders (WDOs).
Legal Aid says that as of September, there is almost $9.5 million in overdue fines for the region with 255 WDOs approved in 2025-26, up 22% on the year before..
The legal service says that residents of the southern NSW city who are struggling with fine debt need to contact them as early as possible.
“The earlier people seek help with debt, the better the outcome,” says Sharlene Naismith, the acting Associate Director for Civil Law.
“Whether it be organising a payment plan, having a debt waived or organising a WDO, a lawyer can help you understand your options and prevent debt from snowballing.
“Revenue NSW understands that people rarely fall behind on fines because they don’t care,” she says.
EASING THE BURDEN OF RISING DEBT
WDOs and interest-free payment plans can reduce the rising debt burden, says David Ranasinghe, Revenue NSW’s Executive Director for Fines and Debt
“WDOs provide participants with opportunities to develop skills, access support services and improve their circumstances.
“More often, it’s because life has become overwhelming and we want to remind people that they are not alone and that support is available,” he says.
“WDOs and interest free payment plans can help reduce the burden of (rising) debt.”
The WDO scheme allows people experiencing hardship to engage in support pathways like medical or mental health treatment, vocational or life skills courses, and financial counselling as a way of paying off debt from unpaid fines.
Anyone struggling with unpaid fines is encouraged to contact Legal Aid NSW on 1300 888 529.
They can also click here to visit the service’s website.
