Where a person has incurred a pecuniary debt (by virtue of a court ordered fine, compensation, victim of crime levy, etc), they may participate in a treatment program in lieu of paying the debt, through an agreement with the Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit.

Treatment program by agreement with Fines Enforcement and Recovery Unit

The Chief Recovery Officer can enter into an agreement requiring a debtor to complete an approved treatment program if they are satisfied that the debtor cannot pay the debt without them or their dependants suffering hardship [Fines Enforcement and Debt Recovery Act 2017 (SA) ss 15(5)(g) and 15(7)]. The Chief Recovery Officer must also be satisfied that the debtor is suitable to participate in a program that is also available at an appropriate time and place [s 15(7)].

If a debtor completes or substantially completes an approved treatment program in accordance with an agreement, the Chief Recovery Officer must waive payment of whole or part of the debt [s 15(13)].

If, at any time, the Chief Recovery Officer is satisfied that the debtor subject to a treatment program agreement has the means to pay the debt without them or their dependants suffering hardship, they may terminate the agreement by notice in writing to the debtor [s 15(10)].

The Chief Recovery Officer has the power to enter into, vary and revoke an agreement to participate in a treatment program without the need to apply to the court.