Unfair Fine in Victoria? How to Request a Review
Updated 26 June 2026 · FairClaim Guides
A Victorian infringement fine — for parking, speed or red-light cameras, tolls, or similar — is not the final word. You can ask for it to be formally reviewed on specific legal grounds. Where you apply depends on the stage: early on, the issuing agency conducts an internal review under the Infringements Act 2006 (Vic); at the enforcement stage, the Director of Fines Victoria conducts an enforcement review under the Fines Reform Act 2014 (Vic).
Grounds you can rely on
- Person unaware — you never received the infringement notice or any later correspondence.
- Mistaken identity — you are not the person whose conduct the notice concerns (for example, you were not the driver, or never owned the vehicle).
- Special circumstances — such as a relevant illness, disability, or family-violence situation affecting your ability to control the conduct or respond.
- Contrary to law — the fine should not have been issued as a matter of law.
Get the stage right
If the fine is recent (infringement-notice or reminder stage), apply to the issuing agency for an internal review. If it has progressed to enforcement (for example an enforcement warrant or an imminent licence/registration consequence), lodging with Fines Victoria can pause enforcement while it is reviewed. Choosing the right path for the stage matters.
How to apply
- Identify the issuing agency, the fine’s current stage, the offence type, and the date(s) involved.
- Choose your ground(s) and gather proof — for example records showing you were elsewhere, or that you had not yet learned to drive or never owned the vehicle.
- Lodge a review request with the issuing agency (early stage) or Fines Victoria (enforcement stage), setting out the ground and the facts.
- If a review is refused, you can usually ask for the matter to be heard in open court.
How FairClaim helps
FairClaim asks about your fine and circumstances, identifies which review ground your facts genuinely support, works out the right stage and recipient, and — where a sworn statement is needed — helps you draft a statutory declaration. Free to start.
Check your rights and build your complaint — free to start
Answer guided questions or just describe what happened. FairClaim checks your facts against the relevant law and drafts your complaint.
Start your infringement fine — review complaintFrequently asked questions
On what grounds can I get a Victorian fine reviewed?
The main grounds are: person unaware (you never received the notice), mistaken identity (you are not the responsible person), special circumstances (such as illness, disability or family violence), and contrary to law. The ground you choose shapes the evidence you need.
I wasn’t the driver — what do I do?
Mistaken identity is a recognised ground. You may need to identify who was responsible or show you could not have been (for example you did not hold a licence or never owned the vehicle). A statutory declaration is often required, and FairClaim can help you draft one.
The fine is already at enforcement — is it too late?
No. At the enforcement stage you can apply to the Director of Fines Victoria for an enforcement review under the Fines Reform Act, and lodging can pause enforcement while it is considered.
What if my review is refused?
If a review is refused you can usually elect to have the matter heard in open court, where a magistrate decides it. Consider getting advice before choosing this path, as a court can impose its own penalty.
Related guides
This guide is legal information, not legal advice. It describes general rights under Australian consumer credit law and may not account for the specifics of your situation. For advice about your circumstances, contact a community legal centre, the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007), or a qualified legal practitioner.