Work and Development Program
Do you have ACT or NSW fines? Are you interested in reducing your fines by attending Care's Budgeting For Life workshop for approved Work or Development Program (WDP) / Work and Development Order (WDO) participants?
About the Work and Development Program
If you are struggling to pay ACT, NSW, VIC, or QLD fines, you may be eligible to complete a community work or social development program that can reduce the amount of infringement debt you owe.
These arrangements are known as Work and Development Program (WDP), Work and Development Order (WDO) or Work and Development Permit Scheme (WDP) depending on the state or territory.
Care is an approved program provider and may offer financial literacy education (life skills) and financial counselling as eligible activities under a WDP/WDO, where appropriate.
To receive credit toward a fine, a WDP/WDO must first be approved by the relevant state authority (for example Access Canberra or Service NSW). Only after approval can participation in an eligible Care activity be counted toward a WDP/WDO.
Learn more about eligibility and approval
Each state and territory manages its own eligibility criteria and approval process. For more information, visit:
Not sure if a WDP/WDO is right for you?
A Work and Development Program/Order is not always the most suitable option for everyone.
If you are struggling to pay traffic or parking infringements, you can contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. A financial counsellor can talk to you about your situation, explain your options, and make referrals to approved WDP/WDP providers where appropriate.
For approved WDP/O participants at Care
Approved WDP participants at Care have certain rights and responsibilities which make sure the workshops run as smoothly as possible for everyone, participants, staff, and guest speakers included. Please read through the rights and responsibilities here: Rights and Responsibilities
Each workshop session has a different topic and guest speaker. Depending on the amount of fines you have, you can attend as many sessions as needed. Participants can attend sessions either in person or online.
Upcoming financial literacy education sessions June to September 2026:
11/6
Thursday
10am- 12pm
Home Energy Efficiency Program (Vinnies)
Learn about ways to reduce your energy bills from Vinnies Home Energy Efficiency team, who conduct over 700 home inspections per year. Learn about how it can help you have a more energy efficient home. They discuss draught proofing, insulation, home appliances and more.
16/6
Tuesday
10am - 12pm
Race Discrimination (Canberra Community Law)
This session outlines protections under ACT and federal law, focusing on identifying unlawful treatment in employment, public spaces, and service access. Also learn about Canberra Community Law's services and how they help the public with advise, advocacy and representation.
9/7
Thursday
10am-12pm
Energy Made Easy (Care Community Education)
Learn about simple ways you can save on energy, understand how Care's energy team can support you if you are struggling with the cost of energy, learn about government rebates and concessions as well as the Electrification Program (gas to electric home appliances).
14/7
Tuesday
10am - 12pm
Care Consumer Law (Topic TBA)
Care Consumer Law provides advice and advocacy on Consumer Law issues as well as and Credit Law issues.
10/8
Monday
10am-12pm
Step-by-Step Budgeting (Care Community Education)
This workshop offers a guided tour of the key steps in budgeting. We also explore your relationship with money, and the behaviours, values and emotions that impact our financial wellbeing.
11/8
Tuesday
10am-12pm
Scam Awareness (Care Community Education)
Learn about the latest scam trends and what to do to protect yourself and also what to do if you have been impacted by a scam
12/8
Wednesday
10am-12pm
Eating Healthy on a Budget (Care Community Education)
The cost-of-living crisis has put a strain on our grocery bill, and this has meant making more conscious choices around how we shop and plan our meals. This workshop provides some food for thought on how to reduce the cost of food shopping without compromising your health
13/8
Thursday
10am-12pm
Surviving Debt (Care Community Education)
Unmanageable debt can have a devastating impact on our physical and mental health. Debt that is no longer affordable can feel overwhelming, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. this session will help you understand pathways out of debt and debt prevention
14/8
Friday
10am-12pm
Relationships and Money (Care Community Education)
Explore your personal relationship with money, and with others. Understand the impact society, our families and personal experiences have on our money beliefs, values and behaviours. Finally explore the role of money in relationships, such as power, control and identifying abusive behaviour.
20/8
Thursday
2pm-4pm
Going to ACAT (Legal Aid ACT)
This workshop will explore the process of making an application to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) using a private tenancy dispute as a practical example. It will walk through the key steps involved including understanding the required documents and what can be expected at different stages of the process. ACAT is an independent body that heads and deals with a range of disputes including tenancy disputes, applications for mental health orders, discrimination matters, settling debts, disagreements with neighbours, and more.
27/8
Thursday
2pm-4pm
Tax Basics Explained with ANU's Tax Clinic
Join ANU's Tax for Beginners workshop—a friendly session designed to simplify the basics of tax for newcomers to the Australian tax system. We’ll cover everything from applying for your Tax File Number (TFN) and linking your MyGov to the ATO, to filing simple or overdue tax returns and non-lodgement advice. Plus, learn about superannuation basics and how to protect yourself from common tax scams. Bring your questions—our presenters are ready to give you the answers you need!
3/9
Thursday
2pm-4pm
Making your Health Dollar Stretch (Health Consumers Association)
Learn strategies for saving money in the health system. Includes bulk-billing doctors, saving on allied health, walk-in centres, private health insurance and more.
