Work and Development Permit (WDP) Support
What is a Work and Development Permit?
A Work and Development Permit lets eligible people reduce or clear their fines by engaging in treatments, services, programs and activities under the supervision of a sponsor, in place of paying the amount owed.
The Work and Development Permit Scheme is a partnership between the Department of Justice, Legal Aid WA and the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia.
How VTS can help
VTS is a Work and Development (WDP) sponsor with the Department of Justice. Through the WDP scheme, we are able to support students who have court-imposed fines.
Reduce eligible fines through training
Ignoring your infringements or court fines will not make them go away.
There are serious consequences for not paying fines and infringements in WA, including driver’s licence suspension, vehicle immobilisation, vehicle licence cancellation and seizure and sale of your property.
For every one hour a student participates in the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program or our other vocational programs, the student will receive a $70 reduction in their fines.
Training programs available
Training programs available through the WDP scheme may include vocational training courses that help people develop skills to enter or participate in the workforce, as well as life skills programs that support personal, social and practical skill development.
The following qualifications could be considered for the WDP:
Real outcomes
Since becoming an approved sponsor in October 2025, VTS has supported 16 students to collectively clear $28,874.10 in fines while engaging in training that builds skills, confidence and pathways to employment. To put this into perspective, under a standard Time to Pay arrangement at $25 per fortnight, it would take over 1,155 fortnights (more than 44 years) to repay this amount. The WDP scheme provides a much more practical and supportive pathway by allowing students to reduce their fines through approved education, training and personal development activities.
Who may be eligible?
You may be eligible for a WDP if you:
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are experiencing financial hardship
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have been or might be subjected or exposed to family violence
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have a mental illness
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have a disability
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are homeless
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are experiencing alcohol or drug use problems
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are experiencing another type of hardship.
How the process works
The process is straightforward:
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The student completes the VTS WDP Enrolment Checklist and Consent to Release Information in full and forwards to VTS
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VTS will prepare and submit the WDP application (Pre-Agreement) or liaise with the student where the fines are not eligible.
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Once approved, VTS will monitor the students’ participation and submit attendance on a weekly basis to apply the fine reductions (please note that only attendance from the date of WDP approval can be counted, not any prior participation)
Enquire About WDP Support
Frequently asked questions
Can I reduce court fines through training in WA?
Yes. In Western Australia, eligible people experiencing hardship may be able to reduce or clear court fines through approved education, vocational training or personal development activities under the Work and Development Permit (WDP) Scheme.
Under the scheme, approved sponsors such as Vocational Training Services can support eligible students to participate in training programs that help reduce outstanding court fines. Educational and vocational courses are recognised approved activities under the scheme.
Eligibility and approval are determined by the Department of Justice and the Fines Enforcement Registry.
What fines are eligible for a WDP?
Only court fines are eligible for the scheme. A client may have other outstanding unpaid fines or infringements which are not eligible to be included in a WDP application. Only eligible court fines are shown on the eCourts portal when applying for a WDP on behalf of a client. They are encouraged to contact FER to make suitable arrangements for all other outstanding matters.
What if more fines are acquired whilst undertaking a WDP?
The approved sponsor may apply on behalf of the student for another WDP or to amend an existing WDP.
Can existing VTS students apply?
Yes. Existing VTS students may be able to apply for WDP support if they meet the eligibility requirements set by the Department of Justice and the Fines Enforcement Registry. Eligibility and approval are assessed on an individual basis, and only participation completed after WDP approval can be counted towards fine reductions.
What happens if my WDP is not approved?
If a Work and Development Permit application is not approved, the Department of Justice or Fines Enforcement Registry may provide information about why the application was unsuccessful and discuss alternative options that may be available to help manage outstanding fines.
Our team can help guide students through the application process and advise whether a referral or alternative support pathway may be more appropriate based on individual circumstances. Approval decisions are made by the Department of Justice and are subject to eligibility requirements.
For more information about this scheme and how it helps those in our community, follow this link.