PENALTIES FOR BREACHING ORDERS

Find current information on the Public Health Order.

Failure to comply with a direction issued by Ministerial order under section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010 is a criminal offence.

Police officers may issue a penalty notice for an offence that occurs between 26 March 2020 and 25 March 2021 in the amount of:

• $1,000 for an individual or
• $5,000 for a corporation.

Individuals

The offence is punishable by a maximum court imposed penalty of $11,000 and/or imprisonment for 6 months, and a further $5,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.

Corporations

The maximum court imposed penalty is $55,000 and a further $27,500 penalty may apply for each day the offence continues.

Face masks are mandatory in certain premises in Greater Sydney

Residents in Greater Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, and the Blue Mountains can get a $200 on-the-spot fine from Monday 3 January 2021 if they don’t wear a mask in certain indoor settings.

• Masks are mandatory for shopping centres and supermarkets, indoor entertainment (including cinemas and theatres), on public/shared transport, and in waiting areas for public/shared transport
• They are also mandatory for places of worship, hair and beauty premises, and visiting an aged care facility
• Staff in hospitality venues and gaming areas in licensed premises (including casinos) must wear masks
• Patrons using gaming services in licensed venues must also wear masks

Exemptions

• Children under 12 are not required to wear a mask but are encouraged to wear one if they can
• People who have a physical or mental illness or condition, or disability, that makes wearing a mask unsuitable (e.g. a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism, or trauma) do not have to wear a mask