Penalty Units (NSW)
What is a “penalty unit”?
A “penalty unit” is a defined amount of money used to stipulate the amount payable for a fine or used to prescribe a maximum penalty for an offence. In NSW the current penalty unit amount is $110.00 for offences under NSW legislation.
An offence will have the maximum financial penalty described in an amount of penalty units. For example:
- Contravene ADVO –2 years’ imprisonment and/or 50 penalty unit fine = $5,500.00,
- Possess Prohibited Drug – 2 years’ imprisonment and/or 20 penalty units = $2,200.00,
- Speeding >20km/h – 20 penalty units = $2,200.00,
- Negligent Driving (no death or GBH) – 10 penalty units = $1,100.00.
Legislation:
| Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Section 17 Penalty units Unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in any Act or statutory rule to a number of penalty units (whether fractional or whole) is taken to be a reference to an amount of money equal to the amount obtained by multiplying $110 by that number of penalty units. |