Could Exercise Referral Schemes Help Pay Off Fine Debt? A Qualitative Exploration

Fine debt for minor offences disproportionately affects individuals experiencing social and economic disadvantage. To address this, several Australian states have implemented schemes such as the Work and Development Order (WDO) program that allow eligible individuals to pay off fines through nonmonetary means such as counselling, mentoring or voluntary work. Given the therapeutic benefits of physical activity on mental and physical health, integrating exercise referral schemes into the WDO program may offer significant benefits. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of current service administrators, WDO providers and consumers who have used the scheme, focussing on experiences with the existing scheme and views on introducing exercise referral schemes as an eligible WDO activity. One‐to‐one semistructured interviews were conducted, and the audio‐recorded interviews were inductively thematically analysed using an interpretivist approach. In total, 22 interviews were conducted, including 13 WDO providers or administrators and nine consumers. Overall, participants highly valued the scheme, describing perceived benefits for consumer rehabilitation, behaviour change and debt relief, while also raising concerns regarding knowledge of and awareness of the scheme. Participants suggested that introducing exercise referral schemes could improve physical activity levels and reduce health inequities, while also increasing the availability and diversity of WDO programs. Key considerations included the need for safe, inclusive and individualised programs and leveraging community partnerships for referrals.