COVID-19 Fines in NSW
Earlier this week, Revenue NSW have released more information around COVID-19 fines issued between July 1, 2020 and October 10, 2021.
With the majority of New South Wales residents now receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. We have seen a decrease in the strict COVID-19 public health orders and fines relating to breaches of the health orders. However, Revenue NSW confirms more than 7,000 people have applied to overturn their COVID-19 fine.
Only 386 fines have been cancelled. Of those, 15 were converted to a caution. Over 3,480 fines were disputed in Court. The rest of the 7,000 contested fines are still awaiting a decision.
Over 17,657 enforcement notices have been sent out by Revenue NSW for unpaid fines.
50,905 fines were issued in NSW between July 1 to October 10, 2021. Fines added up to a total $44 million with fines ranging from $500 to $5,000 per fine. When we reported about COVID-19 fines back in September this year; there were almost $24 million worth of COVID fines issued (yet only $1.6 million had been paid) – That’s a $20 million increase in fines since.
Data out of the NSW Burearu of Crime Stastistics and Research suggests that 37.2% of enforcement fines for Operation Stay at Home were issued within the 12 local Government areas (LGA) of concern (Western and South-Western Sydney), 23.2% of breaches come from other LGA’s, 10.2% of alleged breaches were found to be in the City of Sydney LGA and 29.1% of breaches were in LGA’s outside of Sydney.
Furthermore, 5.8% of COVID-19 Health Order breaches were allegedly motivated by the buying and selling of drugs. Half of those issued with a COVID-19-related fine had a prior conviction in the past five years.
Around 38.5% of those issued a COVID-19 fine were young adults between the ages of 18-29. 22.9% were adults in their 30s. 16.8% were in there 40s. 12.8% were people over the age of 50. 8% of breaches were by children between the age of 10-17.
Interestingly enough, men amounted to 75% of recipients of COVID-19 fine.
You can check out our previous article about COVID-19 fines here. We discuss the NSW Police issuing on-the-spot fines for individuals and businesses for breaching COVID-19 health orders. The options available to you if you are unfortunate enough to receive one. The alarming number of individuals who received a fine and had yet to pay it.
If you or someone you know has recently been issued with an infringement notice, the fine or circumstances warrant challenging it… We encourage you to contact our office. Green & Associates can advise you on the prospects of successfully challenging the notice.
