Understanding offender levies
Part of the Fines topic
Understand what an offender levy is, when it applies and the cost.
On this page
In short
An offender levy is an automatic administrative fee applied to all adult convictions. You can’t appeal or have the fee withdrawn. The cost of the fee is provided under the Penalties and Sentences Regulations 2025.
Getting an offender levy
An offender levy is an administrative fee that helps pay law enforcement costs.
It's automatically applied to adults found guilty of an offence and sentenced in a supreme, district or magistrates court. This applies even if the conviction isn't recorded.
It doesn't apply:
- to child (underage) offenders
- if you’re found not guilty of an offence.
The levy is not an order of the court and doesn't form part of any sentence imposed by a judge or magistrate. It is in addition to any sentence imposed by the court for the offence.
Appealing the levy
You cannot appeal the levy, and it cannot be:
- waived or withdrawn
- converted to community service.
Costs and paying the levy
You can find levy costs in the Penalties and Sentences Regulation 2025.
You should pay the levy on the day it is applied in court.
Otherwise, the court will register the levy with the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER).