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Overdue fines and penalties

We ask you to return all items you borrow by the due date.

There are fines for late return of loans. You will not be able to borrow from the Library if you have any overdue loans or unpaid fines or charges.

Fines vary depending on the loan period of the item:

Item Loan period Fine   
Books 7 days or more $0.75 per day
Short term loans 2 days or less $1.50 per day  
Reserve 2 hours $1.50 per hour
Laptops 48 hours $1.50 per hour
Group study room keys 2 hours $5.00 for late return

How fines work

  • All fines for overdue items (except wireless laptops) accrue to a maximum of $20.00 per item.
  • Fines for overdue laptops accrue to a maximum of the replacement cost of the item.
  • Laptop borrowing rights will be suspended for repeated or excessive overdues.
  • The fine rate for any recalled items not returned by the due date is $1.50 per day.
  • Authorisations for Reciprocal Borrowing will not be issued to students and staff who have accrued fines in excess of $80.00 during the previous twelve months.
  • Students otherwise eligible for Inter-Library Loans, but who have exceeded the $80.00 fine limit during the previous twelve months, will have their requests refused.
  • Any item that is not returned within six weeks of the due date, or by the end of the academic year in which it was borrowed, whichever occurs sooner, will be considered as lost. The borrower will then be liable for the cost of its replacement (including GST) plus an administration fee of $22.00 (including GST).
  • If any lost book charges are not paid within 15 days of issuing an invoice the library will commence formal debt collection action without further notice. The initial debt will be increased by the amount of all collection costs incurred by the library.
  • GST does not apply to overdue fines or payments for repair of damaged items but does apply to charges for lost items.

How to avoid fines

  • Return items on time
  • Renew items on or before the due date by telephone (9214 8330) or through my library
  • Make a note of due dates in a diary or keep date receipts in a safe place
  • Check my library to see when your loans are due back
  • Don't lend your card to anyone else and don't borrow for others. If you do you will be responsible for their fines.
  • Report lost ID cards to the Library immediately
  • Update your personal details held by the University through Swinlink

Making payments to the library

  • By phone - Visa, Mastercard payments only on (+61 3) 9214 8330
  • In person by EFTPOS, credit card, cash or cheque at any of the campus libraries
  • By mail - cheques should be made payable to Swinburne Library, addressed to:
    Lending Services
    Swinburne Library
    Swinburne University of Technology
    PO Box 218
    Hawthorn Victoria 3122
    Australia

Library fines and your enrolment

It is Swinburne policy that exam results are withheld and students are ineligible to apply for any award from the University while any library item is overdue or fines and charges are outstanding.

Please contact the library immediately if you have any concerns about overdue items or notices you have received.