The fine amount for an offence under Queensland State legislation and the laws of local governments is identified as a penalty unit. Queensland's Penalties and Sentences (Penalty Unit Value) Amendment Regulation 2022 defines the dollar value of a penalty unit. This is subject to a yearly review by the State Treasurer.
As of 1 July 2022, the value of a penalty unit is $143.75.
The Penalties and Sentences Regulation 2015 also defines how to calculate the fine amount. The number of penalty units attributed to the offence is multiplied by the value of a penalty unit. The final amount is then rounded down to the nearest whole dollar.
For example:
- a fine of 1 penalty unit is $143 (rounded down from $143.75)
- a fine of 2 penalty units is $287 (rounded down from $287.50).
| Number of Penalty Units | Fine Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 penalty unit | $143.00 |
| 2 penalty units | $287.00 |
| 4 penalty units | $575.00 |
| 5 penalty units | $718.00 |
| 10 penalty units | $1,437.00 |
| 20 penalty units | $2,875.00 |
| 30 penalty units | $4,312.00 |
| 40 penalty units | $5,750.00 |
| 50 penalty units | $7,187.00 |
| 75 penalty units | $10,781.00 |
Some councils choose not to increase the penalty unit value for fines related to their local laws and it remains at $75. These councils are listed in Schedule 2 of the Penalties and Sentences Regulation 2015.