By James Stevens, Director and Solicitor, Go To Court Lawyers. Last reviewed 10 April 2026.
Key points
- The fine: $523 and 3 demerit points for a red light or red arrow camera offence (Fines Victoria, from 1 July 2026).
- See the photos on the Fines Victoria website with the number on your notice.
- Not driving? Nominate the driver before the fine is registered with Fines Victoria. A company that does not nominate faces $4,182.
- To dispute it: ask for an internal review on the set grounds (once only), or elect to go to court, any time before the fine is registered.
- In court the maximum is 10 penalty units ($2,091), the 3 points still apply from the offence date, and the magistrate may suspend or cancel your licence.
- No double demerits in Victoria.
- For advice about a red light camera fine, call 1800 577 015 at any hour: free general legal information, and a 60-minute consultation with a lawyer who practises in Victoria for a fixed $295.
In Victoria, a red light camera offence carries a $523 fine and 3 demerit points; you can view the photos online, nominate the driver, ask for an internal review or elect to go to court before the fine is registered with Fines Victoria, and in court the maximum fine is 10 penalty units ($2,091).
Checked on 23 October 2026 against Fines Victoria, the Victorian Government's Cameras Save Lives pages, Victoria Legal Aid, the Infringements Act 2006 and the Road Safety Act 1986.
The fine and demerit points
Failing to obey a red light or red arrow detected by camera carries a $523 fine and 3 demerit points (Fines Victoria's fine amounts, as at 1 July 2026). Once Victoria Police verify the offence, they issue an infringement notice; you must pay it by the due date or do something else about it.
Your options
| Option | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | By the due date on the latest notice | Online, by BPAY, by phone, at Australia Post or at the Fines Victoria counter. |
| Pay by instalments (a payment arrangement) | Until a 7-day notice expires | Fortnightly or monthly; Fines Victoria can combine fines into one arrangement. |
| Nominate the driver | Before the fine is registered with Fines Victoria (in practice, before a notice of final demand) | The fine and points go to the person you name. A false nomination can bring a fine over $10,000 and a licence suspension. A company that does not nominate faces a $4,182 penalty. |
| Internal review | Any time before the fine is registered; once per offence; in writing with your grounds and current address | Grounds: the decision was contrary to law; mistaken identity; special circumstances; exceptional circumstances excuse the conduct; or you did not know about the fine and it was not handed to you (apply within 14 days of finding out). Outcomes include withdrawing the fine with an official warning. |
| Go to court | Any time before the fine is registered with Fines Victoria | The Magistrates' Court decides; it can fine more or less than the notice, record a conviction or dismiss the charge. |
For reminder fees, enforcement and help with paying, see fines in Victoria.
If you go to court
- What police must prove: that you were driving, and that you did not stop at the red light, before the stop line or at a "stop here on red signal" sign.
- The photos: police will often give you the red-light camera photos; if not, you can view them on the Fines Victoria website using the infringement or obligation number on your notice.
- Penalties: a fine of up to 10 penalty units ($2,091 from 1 July 2026). The 3 demerit points are added from the date of the offence, and the magistrate cannot change that. The magistrate may also cancel or suspend your licence, which Victoria Legal Aid says usually happens only with other offences or a bad driving record. Victoria has no work licence.
Your demerit points
The 3 points count towards your limit: 12 in any 3 years, or, if you have never held a full licence, 5 in 12 months or 12 in 3 years (Road Safety Act 1986 s 36). Victoria has no double demerits.
Free help in Victoria
| Service | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Legal Aid, Legal Help | 1300 792 387 | 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday |
| Fines Victoria, Family Violence Scheme | 1300 019 983 | 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |
How Go To Court Lawyers can help
Our free line, 1800 577 015, answers at any hour. Jen, our AI legal information assistant, gives general legal information and takes your details; Jen is not a lawyer and does not give advice about your case. A 60-minute consultation with a lawyer who practises in Victoria is a fixed $295, by phone, video or in person where the lawyer offers it. The lawyer can advise whether an internal review or a court hearing is worth it, help nominate correctly, and appear for you in the Magistrates' Court. Requests are taken at any hour; how soon a lawyer can see you depends on who is available. Request a $295 consultation.
General information only, not legal advice. Updated 23 October 2026. Checked against Fines Victoria's "Fine amounts and demerit points" (as at 1 July 2026) and its pages on nominating a driver, requesting a review, disputing a fine in court and paying; the Victorian Government's "Road safety camera fines and demerit points" (updated 8 September 2026); Victoria Legal Aid's "Running a red light" (updated 18 May 2026); the Infringements Act 2006; the Road Safety Act 1986; and the Department of Justice and Community Safety's penalty unit value for 2026-27, on 23 October 2026.