Millions of dollars in COVID-19 fines go unpaid in NSW

NSW residents have been hit with almost $50 million worth of fines for breaking COVID-19 rules since the pandemic began – but most are still refusing to pay up.

The latest data reveals people were slapped with more than $12.4 million in penalties in September.

This is the second-highest monthly total after the record $23.2 million issued in August.

However, 9News can reveal only 12 per cent of COVID fines issued during our latest outbreak have been paid.

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Lawyers say those who aren't paying may have a point, claiming many were issued on wrong interpretations of public health orders and wouldn't stand up to scrutiny.

Offences range from failing to self-isolate or not wearing a mask to lying to a contact tracer, exceeding limits on gatherings and disobeying travel limits.

Monthly penalty data shows almost 50,971 fines worth $47.8 million have been issued since March 2020, ranging from just five fines in June 2020 to more than 25,000 during the height of the NSW Delta outbreak in August this year.

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Extra data provided to 9News by Revenue NSW reveals our deep reluctance to pay the fines, which come to as much as $5000 per offence.

Only $5.7 million out of $47.53 million worth of fines issued between 25 June and last week have been paid.

Of the outstanding amounts, $13 million are overdue, requests for review have been sent for $6.85 million worth, and $28.27 million are not yet overdue.

The vast majority of fines have been issued by NSW Police, which handed out 96 per cent (or $46 million) of the total since March last year.

Liquor & Gaming, SafeWork NSW and Fair Trading were among other agencies who dished out fines.

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