The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

1.1.P.120 Penalty unit

Definition

A contravention of a PPLAct civil penalty provision may result in Centrelink or the FWO requiring a person to pay a pecuniary penalty in relation to the contravention, or the Federal Circuit Court of Australia may, on the application of Centrelink or the FWO, order the person to pay a pecuniary penalty in relation to the contravention.

Under subsection 82(5) of the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014, the pecuniary penalty imposed must not be more than that specified (or, for a body corporate, no more than 5 times that specified). The value of a penalty unit is prescribed in the Crimes Act 1914 and can be indexed.

On 1 July 2023 the penalty unit was indexed. The new value for an offence on or after 1 July 2023 is $313.00.

Act reference: PPLAct section 6 The Dictionary

Crimes Act 1914 section 4AA Penalty units

Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 Part 4 Civil penalty provisions

Last reviewed: