The maximum penalty for the offence of “false or misleading applications” is 2 years in prison.
According to the Judicial Commission of NSW, the actual penalties imposed for the offence are as follows:
- Fine Only: 34.2%
- Community Correction Order: 28.9%
- Intensive Correction Order: 18.4%
- Conditional Release Order with Conviction: 7.9%
- Conditional Release Order without Conviction: 5.3%
- Prison: 5.3%
The average prison sentence for the offence is 9.5 months imprisonment, and the average non-parole period (or minimum prison term that must be served) is 5 months in prison.