On 1 July 2025, the cost of breaking the law in Queensland increased again. Under the Penalties and Sentences (Penalty Unit Value) Amendment Regulation 2025, the value of a penalty unit increased by 3.5%, lifting the calculation of fines from $161.15 to $166.90.
This adjustment is part of the government’s ongoing indexation policy to ensure that fines retain their deterrent and punitive impact over time.
How are fines calculated?
In Queensland, fines for criminal and regulatory offences are calculated using a standard measure called a penalty unit. Think of it as a building block for setting financial penalties—the more serious the offence, the more penalty units apply.
The actual dollar value of one penalty unit is set out in the Penalties and Sentences Regulation 2015, and it currently sits at $161.30.
This value is used across a wide range of laws, including for fines issued under the State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 and most state and local laws.
When the penalty unit value changes, it affects the cost of many types of fines.
Rather than look at the value of each offence, the government can increase the value of fines with one regulatory amendment.
Prescribed value
- $161.30 – current prescribed value.
- $166.90 – July 1 prescribed value.
Example
The Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 creates on offence of evade police where:
- a police officer gives the driver of another motor vehicle a direction to stop a motor vehicle
- the driver does not stop the motor vehicle as soon as reasonably practicable.
This offence creates a minimum penalty of 50 penalty units or 50 days imprisonment served wholly in a corrective services facility.
The new regulation creates a minimum fine of $8,345.00 an increase of $280.00 from the 2024 – 2025 financial year.
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