Skip to main content

                    Local laws fines

                    Health inspector at a hospitality business
                    Fines may be issued if a local laws breach is detected.

                    If the local law prohibits a person from doing something 'unless in accordance with a permit', anyone found doing that activity without a permit has breached the local laws, and an authorised officer may issue a fine to the responsible person or corporation.

                    ​On this page:


                    Pay your fine

                    Select this option if your fine has been issued under the Activities Local Law 2019 or Environment Local Law 2019.
                    Select this option if your fine has been issued under the Environment Protection Act 2017, Tobacco Act 1987, Food Act 1984 or Road Management Act 2004.

                    Alternatively, you can request an infringement review, request a payment arrangement or extension or elect to have the matter heard at court.

                    If you don’t act before the due date on your fine, it will continue through the infringements process and more costs will be added. Act now to avoid further costs and enforcement action.


                    Avoid a fine – familiarise yourself with the local laws

                    Here is a simplified explanation of the most commonly disobeyed local laws in the City of Melbourne. These offences account for 88 per cent of all local laws fines we issue. Avoid a fine by adhering to these rules at all times.

                    • Depositing a small item of litter: We adopt a very strict approach to littering, including the dropping of cigarette butts or lit cigarettes. No warnings are given for littering.
                    • Depositing rubbish: It’s illegal to dump rubbish, green waste and household goods. We offer residents a free annual hard waste collection and organic green waste collection. Read our tips about recycling and what can go in your garbage bin.
                    • Possessing an open container of liquor: We are committed to community safety and promoting responsible consumption of alcohol. Consumption of alcohol is banned in public places in the central business district 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, BYO alcohol is permitted in the City of Melbourne’s public parks and gardens by individuals or groups of 50 people or less.

                    Payment arrangements and extensions

                    You can only apply for a payment arrangement or extension if you are the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine. Payment arrangements are only possible for fines involving litter or tobacco offences.

                    There are three types of payment arrangements and extensions: 

                    • receiving a payment extension 
                    • paying in instalments (if you are eligible) or
                    • requesting a payment arrangement with Fines Victoria

                    If you wish to apply for a payment arrangement or extension, you must complete an application before the due date or the fine will continue through the infringements process and additional costs may be added. 


                    Seeking an extension of time to pay

                    An extension of time to pay may be granted at the City of Melbourne’s discretion. You can apply for a payment extension by completing the form below. 

                    Please note: partial payments are not accepted. The full amount is required to finalise the matter.

                    ​You can also contact us to apply for a payment extension using the details below: 

                    Phone: 03 9658 9658

                    Mail: 
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In-person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.


                    Payment arrangement by instalment

                    Payment arrangements are only possible for fines involving litter or tobacco offences.

                    You are automatically entitled to request to pay in instalments if you are the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine and have one of the following:

                    • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Centrelink Health Care Card.
                    • Seniors Card

                    We are unable to offer a payment arrangement by instalment if you:

                    • haven’t provided a copy of your eligible card with your application
                    • are not the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine
                    • have requested a review of your fine and are awaiting the outcome
                    • have been issued with Notice of Final Demand.

                    You can request to pay in instalments if you meet the eligibility requirements above. Please have any supporting documentation ready before you start. 

                    ​You can also contact us to receive a copy of this application form:

                    Phone: 03 9658 9658 

                    In person: 
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.


                    Payment arrangement with Fines Victoria

                    You may request the City of Melbourne refer your outstanding litter or tobacco fine(s) to Fines Victoria to manage as part of a payment arrangement.

                    A payment arrangement allows you to pay one or more fines in monthly or fortnightly instalments. 

                    In order for this to occur, you must have a current payment arrangement registered with Fines Victoria and be the person or corporation issued with and named on the fine

                    You will also need to provide us with the following:

                    • Payment arrangement number (given to you by Fines Victoria)
                    • Fine number/s
                    • Infringement Number/s
                    • Full name
                    • Address
                    • Preferred contact number
                    • Email address

                    To apply, please complete this form:

                    You can also contact us to apply using the details below: 

                    Phone: 03 9658 9658

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.


                    Seeking an extension of time to pay

                    An extension of time to pay may be granted at the City of Melbourne’s discretion.

                    To apply, please contact the City of Melbourne.

                    Phone: 9658 9658

                    Email: fdm@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.

                    Pay in instalments

                    You are automatically entitled to an instalment payment plan if you have one of the following:

                    • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
                    • Centrelink Health Care Card.

                    You must be the person issued with and named on the notice and provide a photocopy of your Centrelink card.

                    We don’t offer instalment payment plans if you:

                    • haven’t provided a copy of your Centrelink card with your application
                    • are not the person issued with and named on the fine
                    • have requested a review of your fine and are awaiting the outcome
                    • have been issued with Notice of Final Demand

                    To apply, complete the application form (PDF 54 KB) and send it to the City of Melbourne with a copy of your Centrelink card before the due date to avoid additional costs.

                    Email: fdm@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                    In person:
                    Melbourne Town Hall
                    120 Swanston Street, Melbourne

                    If visiting the Melbourne Town Hall, please bring photo identification and your fine with you.

                    Payment arrangement with Fines Victoria

                    You may request a payment arrangement to pay outstanding fines.

                    It’s our policy that before you can request one, you must have a current payment arrangement registered with Fines Victoria and be the person issued with and named on the fine.

                    To apply, you’ll need to provide us with the following before the due date to avoid additional costs:

                    • Fine number/s
                    • Payment arrangement number (given to you by Fines Victoria)
                    • Full name
                    • Address
                    • Preferred contact number
                    • Email address

                    You can send this to the City of Melbourne.

                    Email: fdm@melbourne.vic.gov.au

                    Mail:
                    City of Melbourne
                    PO Box 244
                    Melbourne VIC 3000

                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.