Infringement refund scheme FAQs

The scheme is a one-time initiative by Yarra Ranges Council to refund:

• the overcharged portion on parking fines issued under 4 parking infringement types between the dates of July 2005 and July 2025.
• the full amount of three specified animal infringement types issued between January 2014 and February 2023.

Parking infringements

Under the Road Safety Act 1986, Councils can apply a penalty of 0.2 to 0.5 penalty units for certain parking offences. Charging the higher rate of 0.5 penalty units requires a formal Council resolution. While we had been applying this higher rate, consistent with practices across many Councils, it was recently discovered that no current resolution had been in place to authorise it.

This administrative error dates back to the 2005/2006 financial year. This error was only self-identified in mid-2025. Council discovered that it had been applying a higher penalty rate (0.5 penalty units) without a current authorising resolution as required under the Road Safety Act 1986. While the fines were validly issued, the amount charged exceeded the default rate permitted without formal approval.

Animal infringements

Councils are required to formally announce and advertise designated areas, including on and off leash areas for cats and dogs.

There was an error in how these were formally announced and advertised. As a result we are offering full refunds to three specific animal infringements types, issued between January 2014 and February 2023.

You may be eligible if:

• You received a fine from Yarra Ranges Council
• The fine was issued between July 2005 and July 2025 (Parking) or January 2014 and February 2023 (Animals)
• It relates to one of the four affected parking offences, or three Animal related infringements.
• You have reviewed the eligibility criteria and are able to provide the required evidence in support of your application. 

Types of parking infringements

Partial refunds are only offered for one of the following parking offences which have been issued by Yarra Ranges Council:

1. Parking for a period longer than indicated
2. Parked failing to pay & obey instructions on sign
3. Stopping contrary to a no parking sign
4. Parking not completely within a parking bay 

Some parking offences under the Road Safety Road Rules require a formal Council resolution to set specific penalties. There are 11 offences in total that fall under this requirement.

Yarra Ranges Council has only issued infringement notices for 4 of these offences where the required resolutions were not confirmed. Refunds are only available for those specific cases.

We are unable to offer partial refunds for any other types of parking offences.

Types of animal-related infringements affected

Full refunds are being offered for one of the following animals offences which has been issued by Yarra Ranges Council:

1. Dogs being walked off lead in an on-lead area - Section 26 (2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994) First Offence
2.  Dogs being walked off lead in an on-lead area - Section 26 (2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994) Second Offence
3. Cats found wandering at large - Section 25(2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994)

Parking infringement refunds

The partial refund amount will vary based on the year and the specific type of parking infringement.

Overcharges range from $10 to $59.

If you are eligible, the parking refund application process will inform you of the exact refund amount applicable to your case.

The refund applies only to the overcharged portion of the fine. The original infringement remains valid under road safety laws.

Animal-related infringement refunds

The full refund amounts will vary based on the year and the specific type of infringement.

Full refunds range from $74 to $155.

If you are eligible, the animal refund application process will inform you of the exact refund amount applicable to your case.

The full refund applied covers the full infringement penalty.

If your parking infringement was determined through a court proceeding, it falls outside the scope of the Infringement Refund Scheme.

Courts can impose infringement amounts as they see fit and are not included in the refund scheme.

Once a matter has been heard and resolved in court, Council no longer has authority to adjust or refund the outcome.

The refund scheme applies only to fines that were paid directly to Council for the four affected parking infringement types between July 2005 and July 2025.

For eligible parking infringements

No. The fines issued will not be cancelled or withdrawn. 

While the parking infringements are valid, the amount charged was not accurate. That’s why Council is offering a refund. As the refunds are offered for only parking infringements that have been paid, the infringement can’t be re-appealed or further reviewed.

Simply, Council is offering a partial refund for the overcharged penalty of the issued parking infringements, as they were not advertised annually as required.

For eligible animal infringements

Yes. The infringements for the affected animal offences are incorrect, and a full refund is being provided based on applications and eligibility.

 Infringements issued by Yarra Ranges Council that have been lodged with Fines Victoria, may still be eligible for a partial refund.

Check your status

To check the status of your individual case file with Fines Victoria, it is recommended to contact Fines Victoria directly via (03) 9200 8111.

How to apply for a refund

Please note

 Any additional costs or fees imposed by Fines Victoria or Yarra Ranges Council outside of the original infringement penalty, are not refundable.

The refund scheme will go live on Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 9:00am. You will have 12 months to apply for your refund.

You’ll be able to apply online through Council’s website.

Once the scheme opens:

• Visit the infringement refund scheme webpage and select what application you want to apply for a refund on.

• Use your infringement number, vehicle registration (for parking) and/or microchip details (for animals) to check your eligibility through the online form.

• Once you have confirmed your eligibility you will need to provide the required documentation based on your application.
• • For parking you will need to provide valid identification and evidence you are either the 'Registered Owner' or 'Nominated Driver.'
  • For animals you will only need to provide valid identification.

• Complete and submit your application online.

For parking infringements

As parking infringements are typically issued to a vehicle registration, we have set certain parameters to insure we are refunding the correct person.

For registered owners, you may need to supply:

• your identification
• proof of ownership of the related vehicle
• banking details.

For nominated drivers (non-registered owners) you may need to supply:

• your identification
• A Statutory Declaration from yourself, or a Statutory Declaration from the registered owner.
• proof of payment of the infringement.
• banking details

Suggested documentation is contained within the application system.

For animal infringements

To apply for an animal infringement refund we need to confirm the identity of the person applying.

You will need to supply:

• your identification
• banking details

It is recommended that the Statutory Declaration include:

• details of the specific offence or infringement issued
• include the time and date of the offence
• include the infringement number
• registration of the vehicle involved

The declaration should also confirm that the applicant was the individual who received and fully paid the infringement.

Additionally, proof of payment must be submitted as part of supplying evidence you were the nominated driver.

Refunds can be claimed for the next 12 months giving everybody plenty of time to respond.  

Yarra Ranges Council will publicly advertise any updates and any potential closing date, prior to the refund scheme closing for applications. 

You will only have to submit one application if the registration of the vehicle is the same across all eligible infringements you have.

If the vehicle registration for the offence is different, you will need to complete a separate application for each individual vehicle registration.

Once an application has been submitted, your refund will go to the team to process and confirm.

Processing times

The full process to receive a refund could take between 4-8 weeks.

The refund process can take up to 28 days to assess your application. This may be impacted by the amount of applications received by Council.

Should the application be approved, it may take a further 28 days for the funds to be processed by Council.

You will be notified of the progression of your application through the various stages via the email supplied in your application.

No. Infringements issued after July 2025 have been legally issued with the correct offences and penalty information. Council have fixed the issue for all future infringements. 

The application for a refund needs to include:

• personal details of the applicant
• evidence of your infringement
• a signed declaration by the applicant

Should a situation exist where the applicant is unable to complete the application, you can contact Council on 1300 368 333 or visit us in person at one of our Community Links, where further assistance or advice can be provided.  

If the vehicle is registered under a business name, the Business Owner may apply as a "registered owner" within the application. In addition to the standard documentation, please include:

• A signed letter on official business letterhead confirming the applicant is authorised to act on behalf of the business.
• Proof of business registration.
• Valid identification of the applicant.
  
  

These documents help verify the business and ensure the application is processed correctly.

No. Council is not offering interest payments or compensation related to infringement overcharging. The refund will only cover the difference between the correct infringement amount and the overcharged portion.