Yes. You can ask for an internal review of a Victorian parking fine under the Infringements Act 2006. A council parking fine is reviewed by the council that issued it, not Fines Victoria; a fine that Fines Victoria handles goes through its online Request a review form. Apply in writing, state one of the five legal grounds and give a current address. Fines Victoria says you have 21 days from first receiving a fine to pay it or act on it another way, so lodge within that time. Enforcement is put on hold during the review.
Last checked 7 November 2026 against the Infringements Act 2006 (Vic) (authorised version 067, as at 30 September 2026) and the official Fines Victoria, Victorian Government and Consumer Affairs Victoria pages listed under Sources.
Victoria at a glance: who reviews, how, and by when
The reviewer depends on who issued the fine.
| Type of notice | Who reviews it | How to apply | Deadline | Court election |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council parking fine | The council that issued it (the enforcement agency) | In writing, stating your ground and a current address (ask the council how it takes applications) | Act within 21 days of first receiving the fine; a review can be sought until the fine is registered with Fines Victoria | At Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice stage, not at Notice of Final Demand stage |
| Public transport parking fine | Department of Transport and Planning | The online form on the department’s help site | While at Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice stage | Referral to court is one possible review outcome |
| A fine Fines Victoria handles | The enforcement agency, applied for through Fines Victoria | Online Request a review form, or the Application for Internal Review by post | As above | Online Apply to go to court form, or the Nomination Statement form by post |
| Private car park notice | Not a fine: the operator’s contract claim | Ask the operator to cancel it, with evidence; then VCAT | None stated | Not applicable (VCAT) |
Who issued your fine
Check the name on the notice first, because it decides where your review goes. Fines Victoria says that for fines “such as public transport or council fines”, you “need to deal with the enforcement agency that issued the fine – not Fines Victoria”. Fines Victoria becomes involved only once a Notice of Final Demand is issued.
- Council parking fine. Send your review to the council named on the notice, and ask the council how it takes applications. The rules below come from the Infringements Act and apply to every council.
- Public transport parking fine. The Department of Transport and Planning reviews it while it is at Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice stage, through the online form on the department’s help site. At Final Demand stage, contact Fines Victoria.
- A fine Fines Victoria handles. Apply online with the Request a review form, or post the Application for Internal Review to Fines Victoria, GPO Box 1916, Melbourne Vic 3001. Fines Victoria’s phone line is (03) 9200 8111, or 1300 369 819 from regional Victoria.
- Private car park “fine” (Wilson, Secure, Care Park, a shopping centre). Consumer Affairs Victoria says “Private car park operators cannot issue parking fines or infringements”. It is not a government fine: it is a private company’s contractual demand, and it can be disputed with the operator. Use our Private Parking Notice Dispute letter ($29) and read private car park fines in Australia.
A toll notice from ConnectEast or Linkt is not a parking fine either: see our Toll Notice Dispute ($29). For a council fine that is not about parking, such as littering or a local law, the same internal review rules apply: use our Fine Review Request.
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Grounds that get parking fines withdrawn in Victoria
A Victorian review must rest on one of five grounds set by section 22 of the Infringements Act. Fines Victoria puts it plainly: “by law, there are only 5 eligible grounds for review”. Your application must state the ground you rely on. The reviewer decides whether it is made out.
| Ground | What you need to show | Evidence that helps |
|---|---|---|
| Contrary to law | The decision to fine you “was inconsistent with the law” | Dated photos of the signs, markings and meter; your permit, ticket or payment record; the notice itself |
| Mistake of identity | The wrong person or car was fined. You need evidence. Not available if someone else was driving: nominate instead | Identification documents; proof of where the car or you were at the time |
| Exceptional circumstances | “circumstances that were out of the ordinary, unavoidable, or exceptional” | Medical reports, tow invoices, police reports, travel documents |
| Special circumstances | Only if you committed the offence and had, for example, “a mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness”, serious addiction or homelessness, or were “a victim of family violence” | A report from a qualified practitioner or agency (this is required) |
| Person unaware | You found out within the last 14 days, the fine was not personally handed to you, and (Fines Victoria says) it is not a traffic or tolling offence | Proof of when you found out, such as mail theft reports, removalist invoices or travel documents |
Fines Victoria warns that an application “may not be successful unless you provide evidence”.
Common parking situations. There is no separate “missing sign” or “broken meter” ground. If your point is that you did not break the parking rule, for example because the sign was missing, rely on contrary to law. If something out of the ordinary and unavoidable happened, such as a breakdown or medical emergency, rely on exceptional circumstances. A clean record is not a ground on its own.
Deadlines and what happens while it is reviewed
Act within 21 days of first receiving the fine. Fines Victoria says “You have 21 days from first receiving the fine to pay it or act on it another way.” The payment period on the notice must be at least 21 days after service (s 14), and a posted notice is deemed served 7 days after its date (s 12(2)). Work to the due date printed on your notice.
- Outer limit. All grounds except person unaware can be raised “at any time before” the fine and any reminder fee “are registered with the Director under the Fines Reform Act 2014” (s 22(2)). Waiting adds fees, so do not rely on this.
- Person unaware. This application “must be made within 14 days of the applicant becoming aware of the infringement notice” (s 22(3)). It will not be considered if you did not update your address within 14 days of moving (s 22(4)).
- Once only. An application “may only be made once in relation to any one infringement offence” (s 22(3)). Put every ground and every piece of evidence into the one request.
Enforcement stops during the review. The agency must “suspend any procedures that are being used for the enforcement of the infringement penalty” until the review is complete and the outcome is sent (s 24(1)). Fines Victoria says fines in an application “are put on hold”.
How the review runs. Someone not involved in issuing the fine must conduct it (s 24(2)). Fines Victoria says internal reviews are decided within 90 days; the Act adds 35 days if more information was requested, and the outcome must be served “within 21 days of deciding the review” (s 24(3)). If the agency misses these limits, “the infringement notice is deemed to be withdrawn” (s 24(4)). If asked for more information, provide it within 14 days or ask in writing for more time (s 23).
The possible outcomes (s 25(1)). The agency may confirm the fine; withdraw it and serve an official warning instead; withdraw it; withdraw it and refer the matter to court; “waive all or any penalty reminder notice fees”; “approve a payment plan”; or any combination. For special circumstances, the options are limited to confirming, withdrawing with an official warning, or withdrawing (s 25(2)).
If you do nothing, fees are added (Fines Victoria, as at 1 July 2026, adjusted each July):
| Stage | Fee added | Time to act |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty Reminder Notice | $30.00 | 14 days |
| Notice of Final Demand | $155.60 (total added $185.60) | 21 days |
| Enforcement Warrant | $68.00 (total added $253.60) | None stated |
At Notice of Final Demand stage, Fines Victoria may direct VicRoads to suspend your licence or registration. At Enforcement Warrant stage, sheriff’s officers can wheel clamp, seize and sell a vehicle. Once registered with Fines Victoria, a fine does not expire. Never ignore a fine you dispute: lodge the review instead.
Evidence checklist
Gather evidence before you write, because the reviewer decides on what you send.
- Photos of every sign for the spot, from where you parked and from the approach, including any sign that was hidden, faded or missing.
- Photos of the road markings, bay lines and kerb, and of the meter or machine with any error message.
- Your permit, ticket, receipt or parking app record, with the time of payment.
- The time stamps on your photos.
- A statement from a witness who saw what happened.
- For an emergency or breakdown: a medical report, tow invoice or police report. For special circumstances: a report from a qualified practitioner or agency.
- The infringement notice itself, front and back.
How to dispute a parking fine in Victoria: 4 steps
Step 1: Read the notice and diary the deadline
Note who issued the fine, the notice number, the date, the place and the due date. Work to 21 days from when you first received it. The person-unaware ground has its own 14-day limit.
Step 2: Gather your evidence
Photograph the signs and markings and collect your receipts, permit or app record and any reports (see the checklist). Decide which of the five grounds your facts fit.
Step 3: Lodge the review
Write to the council or agency that issued the fine: in writing, stating your grounds, with a current address for the outcome. For a fine Fines Victoria handles, use its online Request a review form or post the Application for Internal Review to Fines Victoria, GPO Box 1916, Melbourne Vic 3001. Our letter sets out your grounds in the terms the Infringements Act uses, lists your evidence and asks for the fine to be withdrawn, or withdrawn with an official warning. You download it straight away and lodge it yourself.
Dispute this parking fine – $29
Step 4: If the review is refused
Deal with the confirmed fine by paying it, asking to pay over time, or electing to go to court, and weigh the court risks first.
- Pay it, or pay by instalments. Fines Victoria says “you can apply to pay your outstanding fine amount by instalments” (online, by phone on 03 9200 8111, or on the Application for Payment Arrangement form). A Work and Development Permit is another option for people with a listed circumstance who are engaged with an approved sponsor. Our fine hardship and payment plan letter ($29) helps with this.
- Elect to go to court. You may elect to have the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court “at any time before” the fine is registered with Fines Victoria (s 16(1)). Fines Victoria says this is possible at Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice stage, not at Notice of Final Demand stage, using the online Apply to go to court form or the Nomination Statement form (“Request a Court Hearing” section) posted to Fines Victoria.
- Understand the court risks first. Fines Victoria warns that the magistrate may record a conviction if you are found guilty, and that “the penalty may be either more, or less, than the amount on your Infringement Notice”. “If you don’t go to your hearing, the court can decide the matter in your absence.” Court is not a free second try.
Questions people ask
Can I dispute a parking fine in Victoria?
Yes. Section 22 of the Infringements Act 2006 lets you apply in writing to the enforcement agency that issued the fine for an internal review. For a council fine that is the council, not Fines Victoria. You must state one of five grounds, such as that the fine was contrary to law or that exceptional circumstances apply, and give a current address.
Who do I send a parking fine review to in Victoria?
Send it to the agency that issued the fine. Fines Victoria says council and public transport fines are dealt with by the enforcement agency that issued them, not Fines Victoria, until a Notice of Final Demand is issued. Public transport parking fines go to the Department of Transport and Planning. For fines Fines Victoria handles, use its online Request a review form.
How long do I have to dispute a parking fine in Victoria?
Act within 21 days of first receiving the fine: Fines Victoria says that is how long you have to pay it or act on it another way. The Act allows most grounds to be raised until the fine is registered with Fines Victoria, but fees are added along the way. If you were unaware of the fine, you must apply within 14 days of finding out.
What are the grounds for a parking fine review in Victoria?
There are five: the decision was contrary to law; mistake of identity; exceptional circumstances; special circumstances; and you were unaware of the fine (within 14 days of finding out, if it was not handed to you). Fines Victoria says “by law, there are only 5 eligible grounds for review”, and your application must state which one you rely on.
The sign was hidden or missing – can I get the fine withdrawn?
You can ask, and the reviewer decides. Victoria has no separate “missing sign” ground, so you rely on the ground that the decision to fine you was contrary to law, meaning inconsistent with the law. Photograph the spot, the approach and the sign or the gap where it should be, note the date and time, and include those photos with your request.
The meter or app was broken – what do I do?
Record the failure and request a review with that evidence. Take a photo of the meter or error message, and keep your app record, bank statement or receipt showing the time you tried to pay. Put the facts under the ground they fit, such as contrary to law or exceptional circumstances. Lodge the review before the due date on the notice.
Will disputing a parking fine stop the late fees?
Yes, while the review runs. The agency must suspend enforcement until the review is complete and the outcome is sent (s 24(1)), and Fines Victoria says fines in an application are put on hold. A review can also end with penalty reminder fees waived (s 25(1)). Lodge it before the due date so fees do not start in the first place.
What happens if I lose a parking fine review?
The fine is confirmed. Your remaining options are to pay, apply to pay by instalments, or, while the fine is at Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice stage, elect to go to the Magistrates’ Court. The review itself can only be made once for each offence, so include everything the first time.
Can I ask for a caution instead?
You can ask for an official warning, but only through a review on one of the five grounds. One outcome the Act allows is to “withdraw the infringement notice and serve an official warning in place of the infringement notice” (s 25(1)). A clean record is not itself one of the five grounds, so mention it as background to the ground your facts support.
Can I take a parking fine to court in Victoria?
Yes, at Infringement Notice or Penalty Reminder Notice stage, not once a Notice of Final Demand has been issued. Apply online with the Apply to go to court form or post the Nomination Statement form to Fines Victoria. If found guilty the magistrate may record a conviction, and the penalty may be more or less than the fine.
What if the council does not decide my review in time?
The fine is deemed to be withdrawn. Section 24(4) of the Infringements Act says that if an enforcement agency fails to decide the review and serve the outcome within the time the Act sets, “the infringement notice is deemed to be withdrawn”. Keep a dated copy of your request and proof of when you lodged it.
I got a parking fine from a private car park – is that a real fine?
No, it is not a government fine. Consumer Affairs Victoria says “Private car park operators cannot issue parking fines or infringements”. The notice is a private company’s contractual demand, and it can be disputed. Ask the operator to cancel it with your evidence; if they refuse, you can go to VCAT, where “There may be costs involved”. Our Private Parking Notice Dispute letter is $29.
I can’t afford to pay the parking fine – what are my options?
Apply to pay by instalments or, if you qualify, for a Work and Development Permit. Fines Victoria assesses instalment requests on the amount, your income, financial status, payment history and hardship; apply online, by phone on 03 9200 8111, or on the Application for Payment Arrangement form. If you committed the offence while living with a mental or intellectual disability or illness, serious addiction, homelessness or family violence, the special circumstances review ground may apply.
Related guides
- How to dispute a parking fine in every state
- How to contest a speeding fine in Victoria
- How to write a fine review request, by state
- Private car park fines in Australia and our Private Parking Notice Dispute ($29)
- Toll Notice Dispute ($29)
- Fine hardship and payment plan request ($29)
- Review request for other government fines
Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; this page is general information about the official process, and the outcome of any review is the reviewer’s decision.
Sources
- Infringements Act 2006 (Vic), authorised version 067, as at 30 September 2026 (ss 12, 14, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25), checked 7 November 2026
- Fines Victoria: Infringement Notice, checked 7 November 2026
- Fines Victoria: Request a review, checked 7 November 2026
- Fines Victoria: If you don’t deal with your fine, checked 7 November 2026
- Fines Victoria: Dispute your fine in court, checked 7 November 2026
- Fines Victoria: Request to pay by instalments, checked 7 November 2026
- Fines Victoria: Work and Development Permit, checked 7 November 2026
- Victorian Government: seeking a review of transport and road fines, checked 7 November 2026
- Fines Victoria: having a valid toll account or pass stops you from getting a fine, checked 7 November 2026
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: parking payment notices in private car parks, checked 7 November 2026
What happens when you put it in writing — properly
Same problem. What a prepared case looks like.
Getting it drafted
Can I have a Parking Fine Dispute (VIC) drafted for me instead of writing it myself?
Yes. Claim Done (claimdone.com.au) drafts a Parking Fine Dispute (VIC) from the answers you give about your situation for a flat $29 AUD. You read and confirm the draft, then the final PDF is emailed to you. Start at claimdone.com.au/begin/?service=parking-fine-dispute-vic. Claim Done is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
How much does a Parking Fine Dispute (VIC) cost, and how long does it take?
$29 AUD flat, shown before you pay, with no subscription. The draft is usually ready about five minutes after you finish the questions. It covers every Australian state and territory.
Do I need a lawyer to send a Parking Fine Dispute (VIC) in Australia?
No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to write or send a Parking Fine Dispute (VIC); many people send their own. Claim Done drafts it for you and you approve it before it is sent.