The Work and Development Permit (WDP) Scheme is a new Western Australian government initiative to help people who are experiencing difficulty paying court fines due to hardship. Under a WDP, eligible people can apply to complete approved activities under the supervision of a sponsor, in place of paying the amount owed.

A WDP is a permit that allows a client who is experiencing hardship to reduce or discharge an amount owed in respect of court fines, through voluntary participation in approved work and development activities. To be eligible for a WDP, your client must be experiencing hardship.

Hardship is defined to include people who:

• • • Are experiencing financial hardship.
    • Have been or might be subjected or exposed to family violence.
    • Have a mental illness.
    • Have a disability.
    • Are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
    • Are experiencing alcohol or drug use problems.
    • Are experiencing another type of hardship.

When a WDP is approved, enforcement action ceases on those court fines that are on the permit. It is then the responsibility of the client to ensure that arrangements are made on all other outstanding matters in order to cease associated enforcement activity.