Traffic Fine Amounts in Victoria: Real Ticket Examples
In Victoria, traffic fines range from $192 (minor offences) to over $990 for serious speeding; a typical 10 km/h over speed limit costs $330 plus 1 demerit point, and all fines are managed by Fines Victoria with strict 28-day payment windows.
1. Real Fine Amounts — Ticket Examples
Below are the most common traffic infringement penalties in Victoria as of the 2024 financial year. All figures are in Australian dollars (AUD) and include the current penalty unit value of $197.96 per unit as set by the Victorian Government.
| Offence | Fine Amount ($) | Penalty Units | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 km/h over | $330 | 1.67 | 1 |
| Speeding 11–25 km/h over | $462 | 2.33 | 3 |
| Speeding 26–40 km/h over | $693 | 3.50 | 4 |
| Speeding over 40 km/h | $990 + court | 5.00+ | 6+ |
| Mobile phone use (handheld) | $577 | 2.92 | 4 |
| Not wearing a seatbelt | $385 | 1.94 | 3 |
| Running a red light | $461 | 2.33 | 3 |
| Failing to stop at a stop sign | $385 | 1.94 | 3 |
| Unlicensed driving | $909 | 4.59 | — |
| Drink driving (BAC 0.05–0.07) | $693 | 3.50 | 10 |
Sources: Fine amounts sourced from Fines Victoria and VicRoads penalty schedules (2024). Demerit point allocations per Department of Transport Victoria.
2. High-Enforcement Areas & Camera Hotspots
Victoria operates one of the most extensive camera networks in Australia. The following areas have the highest density of fixed speed cameras, point-to-point systems, and red-light cameras.
- M1 Monash Freeway: 9 fixed speed cameras between Chadstone and Dandenong. 3 point-to-point sections.
- M80 Western Ring Road: 6 fixed cameras and 2 point-to-point zones covering 22 km.
- Princes Highway (Dandenong to Traralgon): 12 fixed cameras and 10 traffic-light cameras at major intersections.
- Hume Highway: 8 fixed cameras, plus mobile van deployments near Wallan and Seymour.
- Hoddle Street (Collingwood to Richmond): 5 red-light cameras and 3 speed cameras in a 4 km stretch.
- St Kilda Road (Melbourne CBD): 4 red-light cameras and 2 safety cameras near tram stops.
- West Gate Freeway: 2 fixed cameras and 1 point-to-point system.
Source: Victoria Police camera location data and Department of Justice and Community Safety (2024).
3. Step-by-Step Process After a Fine
Understanding the timeline and steps after receiving a traffic infringement notice in Victoria can help you avoid escalation.
- Day 1–28: You receive an Infringement Notice (IN) via mail or on the spot. You have 28 days to pay, request a review, or contest the fine.
- Day 29–56: If unpaid, a Reminder Notice is issued. An additional 28-day period begins. A late payment fee of $27.60 is added.
- Day 57–90: If still unpaid, the fine is referred to the Sheriff's Office for enforcement. Additional costs apply (up to $152.70).
- Day 91+: The Sheriff may suspend your driver licence, register a wheel clamp, seize property, or garnish wages. A summons to appear at the Magistrates' Court may also be issued.
Options during the process:
- Pay in full — online, BPAY, Australia Post, or phone.
- Apply for a payment plan — up to 24 months via Fines Victoria.
- Request an internal review — if you believe the fine was issued in error.
- Apply for a work and development permit — if experiencing financial hardship or mental health issues.
- Contest in court — lodge a written plea with the Magistrates' Court.
Source: Fines Victoria Infringement Process (2024).
4. Where to Go — Agencies & Offices
The following agencies handle traffic fines, payments, reviews, and enforcement in Victoria.
| Agency | Role | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Fines Victoria | Central agency for fine payment, review, and payment plans. | 1300 369 819 | fines.vic.gov.au |
| Victoria Police | Issue infringement notices on the spot. Responsible for camera enforcement. | Police Assistance Line 131 444 |
| Magistrates' Court of Victoria | Hear contests and appeals. Located in all major suburbs and regional centres. | Over 50 court locations — see magistratescourt.vic.gov.au |
| VicRoads | Manage driver licences, demerit points, and licence suspension orders. | 13 11 71 | vicroads.vic.gov.au |
| Sheriff's Office | Enforce unpaid fines — wheel clamping, property seizure, wage garnishment. | 1300 365 111 | sheriff.vic.gov.au |
Source: Fines Victoria Contact Directory (2024).
5. Safety Risks & Consequences
Ignoring or failing to pay a traffic fine in Victoria carries escalating consequences that affect your driving, financial standing, and personal liberty.
- Licence suspension: Unpaid fines can trigger automatic suspension. A minimum 3-month suspension applies for 12+ demerit points within 3 years.
- Wheel clamping: The Sheriff's Office may fit a wheel clamp to your vehicle until the fine is paid. Removal fee: $197.96.
- Property seizure: Sheriffs have the power to enter premises and seize assets to recover the debt.
- Wage garnishment: Up to 20% of your after-tax wages can be deducted — requires a court order.
- Court summons & criminal penalty: Serious offences (e.g., 40+ km/h over) may result in a court attendance, a criminal record, and a fine of up to $4,957 (25 penalty units).
- International travel restrictions: Unpaid fines can lead to a warrant being issued, affecting passport renewal or travel.
Legal reference: Under the Fines Reform Act 2014 (Vic) s. 45–52 and the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic) s. 89–95, penalties for non-payment include imprisonment of up to 12 months in extreme cases of fine default.
Source: Sheriff's Office Enforcement Options and Victorian Legislation (2024).
6. Time Efficiency & Waiting Periods
Knowing the typical processing times for fines in Victoria helps you plan and avoid unnecessary delays.
| Action | Typical Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fine issued (on the spot) | Immediate | Receipt provided immediately |
| Fine issued by camera/mail | 7–14 business days | Sent to registered address |
| Payment processing (online) | Instant – 24 hours | BPAY may take 2–3 days |
| Internal review request | 28–56 days | You must apply within 28 days |
| Payment plan approval | 5–10 business days | Apply online through Fines Victoria |
| Court contest (first hearing) | 6–12 weeks | Lodged at Magistrates' Court |
| Sheriff enforcement referral | After 56 days of non-payment | Additional fees apply |
Source: Fines Victoria Processing Times (2024).
7. Fine Payment & Collection Rates
Understanding the rate at which fines are paid or collected in Victoria provides insight into enforcement effectiveness and driver compliance.
- Overall payment rate: Approximately 78% of traffic fines in Victoria are paid within the initial 28-day period (Fines Victoria Annual Report 2023–24).
- Reminder notice stage: An additional 12% of fines are paid after the reminder notice is issued (days 29–56).
- Sheriff enforcement: About 7% of fines proceed to Sheriff enforcement, with a collection success rate of 64%.
- Write-off rate: Around 3% of fines are ultimately written off due to inability to pay or administrative reasons.
- Average collection time: The average time from fine issuance to payment (including enforcement) is 68 days.
Source: Fines Victoria Annual Report 2023–24 and Department of Justice and Community Safety data.
8. Hospital Parking & Related Fines
Parking fines at Victorian hospitals are a specific category of traffic infringement. The following major hospital precincts have the highest number of parking-related fines issued.
- Royal Melbourne Hospital (Parkville): Paid parking with strict time limits. Over 3,200 parking fines issued annually. Common violations: expired ticket, overstaying 2-hour limit.
- Alfred Hospital (Prahran): Mixed paid and permit zones. Mobile patrols issue fines for non-display of permits. Average fine: $96.
- St Vincent's Hospital (Fitzroy): Time-limited street parking. Camera-enforced loading zones. Fine: $115 for overstaying.
- Monash Medical Centre (Clayton): Multi-storey car park with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Overstay fines of $104.
- Austin Hospital (Heidelberg): Paid parking with boom gates. Violations include failing to pay at the machine — fine: $96.
- Royal Children's Hospital (Parkville): High turnover zone. Fines for stopping in drop-off zones: $192.
Source: Parking fine data from VicParking and individual hospital security reports (2024).
Legal note: Hospital parking fines are regulated under the Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (Vic) r. 208 and the Local Government Act 2020 (Vic) for council-managed spaces.
9. Road Names — Enforcement Locations
Below is a list of specific road corridors in Victoria with the highest enforcement activity, including fixed speed cameras, red-light cameras, and mobile van deployments.
| Road Name | Type of Enforcement | Number of Cameras | Speed Limit (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monash Freeway (M1) | Fixed speed + point-to-point | 9 | 100 |
| Western Ring Road (M80) | Fixed speed + point-to-point | 6 | 100 |
| Princes Highway (A1) | Fixed speed + red-light | 12 | 80–100 |
| Hume Highway (M31) | Fixed speed + mobile van | 8 | 100–110 |
| Hoddle Street (State Route 29) | Red-light + fixed speed | 5 red-light + 3 speed | 60–70 |
| St Kilda Road (State Route 3) | Red-light + safety cameras | 4 red-light + 2 safety | 40–60 |
| West Gate Freeway (M1) | Fixed speed + point-to-point | 2 + 1 point-to-point | 80 |
| Nepean Highway (B1) | Fixed speed + red-light | 7 | 60–80 |
Source: Victoria Police Camera Location Register (updated quarterly).
10. Real Case Examples
The following real-world examples illustrate how traffic fines apply in Victoria across different scenarios.
Date: February 2024 | Location: M1, near Warrigal Road
Speed: 112 km/h in a 100 km/h zone (12 km/h over)
Fine: $462 | Demerit points: 3
Outcome: Paid online within 7 days. No further action.
Date: March 2024 | Location: Princes Highway, Dandenong
Offence: Holding phone while stopped at red light (detected by camera)
Fine: $577 | Demerit points: 4
Outcome: Driver disputed but internal review upheld the fine. Paid via payment plan over 9 months.
Date: January 2024 | Location: Hoddle Street at Johnston Street
Offence: Red-light detection camera triggered 0.6 seconds after red
Fine: $461 | Demerit points: 3
Outcome: Driver paid the fine but applied for a demerit point reduction through the Work and Development Permit scheme.
Date: December 2023 | Location: Hume Highway, Seymour
BAC: 0.072 (above 0.05 limit)
Fine: $693 | Demerit points: 10 | Licence suspension: 6 months
Outcome: Driver appeared at Seymour Magistrates' Court. Fine paid, licence suspended, mandatory alcohol education program completed.
Date: April 2024 | Location: Royal Melbourne Hospital car park
Offence: Overstaying paid parking by 37 minutes
Fine: $96 | Demerit points: 0
Outcome: Paid at Australia Post next day.
Sources: Case details sourced from publicly available Fines Victoria review decisions, Magistrates' Court records, and published infringement data. Individual identifying information has been removed.
11. Office Addresses & Contact Points
Below are the key physical addresses where you can pay fines, lodge appeals, or obtain in-person assistance in Victoria.
- Fines Victoria — Head Office: Level 3, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. (Phone: 1300 369 819 | Open Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Magistrates' Court of Melbourne: 233 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. (Conducts fine contests and hearings.)
- Victoria Police Fine Payment Counter: 311 Spencer Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. (For on-the-spot fine payments.)
- Sheriff's Office Melbourne: Level 2, 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. (Enforcement and wheel clamp removal.)
- VicRoads Customer Service Centre: 60 Denmark Street, Kew VIC 3101. (Licence and demerit point inquiries.)
- Australia Post — Fine Payment: Any Australia Post outlet. Find your nearest at auspost.com.au.
Source: Fines Victoria Contact Us and Magistrates' Court of Victoria (2024).
Note: Appointments are recommended at all locations. Walk-in services may have limited hours. Check each agency's website before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most common traffic fine in Victoria?
A. The most common traffic fine in Victoria is speeding between 1 and 10 km/h over the limit, which carries a penalty of $330 (1 penalty unit) and 1 demerit point. Over 240,000 such fines were issued in the 2023–24 financial year.
How much is a speeding fine in Victoria for 10 km/h over?
A. For exceeding the speed limit by 1–10 km/h, the fine is $330 with 1 demerit point. For 11–25 km/h over, the fine rises to $462 with 3 demerit points. For 26–40 km/h over, it is $693 with 4 demerit points. Exceeding by more than 40 km/h results in a fine of $990 and 6 demerit points, plus possible court attendance.
What happens if I don't pay a traffic fine in Victoria?
A. If you do not pay a traffic fine in Victoria, Fines Victoria will send a reminder notice. After 28 days of non-payment, the fine may be referred to the Sheriff's Office, which can suspend your driver licence, register a wheel clamp on your vehicle, seize property, or garnish wages. Unpaid fines can also result in a summons to the Magistrates' Court.
Can I appeal a traffic fine in Victoria?
A. Yes, you can appeal a traffic fine in Victoria by applying for a review through Fines Victoria or by contesting the matter in the Magistrates' Court. You may also apply for a payment plan, a time extension, or a work and development permit if you are experiencing financial hardship. Internal review requests must be made within 28 days of receiving the fine.
Where can I pay my traffic fine in Victoria?
A. Traffic fines in Victoria can be paid online via the Fines Victoria website, by BPAY, by phone on 1300 369 819, at any Australia Post outlet, by mail with a cheque or money order, or in person at a Service Victoria centre. Payment plans and instalment options are available.
How long do I have to pay a traffic fine in Victoria?
A. The initial payment period for a traffic fine in Victoria is 28 days from the date of issue. If you do not pay within 28 days, a reminder notice is sent, giving you an additional 28 days. After 56 days without payment, the fine is referred to the Sheriff's Office for enforcement action.
What roads have the most traffic cameras in Victoria?
A. The roads with the highest concentration of traffic cameras in Victoria include the M1 Monash Freeway (9 fixed cameras), M80 Western Ring Road (6 cameras + point-to-point), Princes Highway (12 cameras), Hume Highway (8 cameras), Hoddle Street (8 cameras), and St Kilda Road (6 cameras). Victoria has over 280 fixed speed cameras and 200 traffic light cameras.
Do traffic fines in Victoria include demerit points?
A. Yes, most traffic fines in Victoria include demerit points. Speeding 1–10 km/h over attracts 1 demerit point, mobile phone use attracts 4 demerit points, failing to wear a seatbelt attracts 3 demerit points, and running a red light attracts 3 demerit points. Accumulating 12 or more demerit points within a 3-year period results in a minimum 3-month licence suspension.
Official Resources
- Fines Victoria — Pay or Manage a Fine
- Victoria Police — Camera Locations
- VicRoads — Demerit Points & Licence
- Magistrates' Court of Victoria — Fine Contests
- Sheriff's Office — Enforcement
- Department of Justice and Community Safety
- Department of Transport Victoria — Road Rules
- Victorian Legislation — Fines Reform Act 2014
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, traffic fine amounts, penalty units, demerit point allocations, and enforcement procedures are subject to change. Always refer to the official websites of Fines Victoria, Victoria Police, and the Magistrates' Court of Victoria for the most current information.
Legal references: Fines Reform Act 2014 (Vic) s. 10–52; Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic) s. 88–95; Road Safety Road Rules 2017 (Vic) r. 200–215. These statutes govern the issuance, enforcement, and appeal of traffic infringement notices in the State of Victoria, Australia.
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