Drink, Drug, Driver Behaviour Change Program
We are only offering face to face programs and cannot offer online options at this time.
Ballarat Community Health Behaviour Change Programs are currently running out of our Victoria street Location.
If you have lost your licence due to a drink or drug driving offence, the process of having it restored may seem challenging. At BCH, our alcohol and other drug team is committed to assisting individuals and families who are dealing with alcohol or other drug-related issues.
The ‘Drink and Drug Driver Behaviour Change Program’ is a program approved by VicRoads under the Road Safety Act 1986. Ballarat Community Health is one of a number of providers approved by VicRoads to deliver Drink and Drug Driver Behaviour Change Programs.
Programs we offer
This program is held over four sessions. There will be three 3 hour group sessions held Wednesday or Thursdays each week from 9:30am-12:30pm, and a one on one counselling session with the facilitator prior to the third group session. You must attend all sessions.
Applies to you if:
- It was your second or subsequent drink or drug-driving offence.
- Your BAC was .15 or more.
- You had both alcohol and drugs in your system.
- You were charged with a refusal offence for alcohol and or other drugs testing.
- You were charged with driving while impaired (DWI).
- You were charged with driving under the influence (DUI).
- You were charged with a serious motor vehicle offence involving alcohol and/or other drugs e.g. culpable driving.
This program is held over two sessions. There will be two 3 hour group sessions held Monday each week from 1:00pm-4:00pm. You must attend both sessions.
Applies to you if:
- You were caught driving with illicit drugs in your system and it was your first offence.
This program is run once a month and is held over two sessions. There will be two 3 hour group sessions held Wednesday each week from 1:30pm-4:30pm. You must attend both sessions.
Applies to you if:
- You were caught drink-driving with a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of less than .15.
- It was your first offence and you didn’t have drugs in your system.
This program is a single day session held once a month. There will be one 2 hour group session held on a Tuesday from 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Applies to you if:
- An alcohol interlock licence condition has been imposed, and your drink-driving or alcohol related offence was one of the offences listed above that requires you to complete an Intensive Drink and Drug Driver Program.
- You’ve been notified by VicRoads to complete this program.
*Please note, this program must be completed towards the end of your required alcohol interlock period of use and prior to applying to have your alcohol interlock licence condition removed.
Booking a magistrates hearing Licence Eligibility Order (LEO):
An application for a LEO is only required for some drug driving offences.
Your VicRoads Re-licensing letter will confirm if you need to obtain a Licence Eligibility Order.
After booking in for you Behaviour change program you can contact your local magistrates court to book in for your hearing, it is recommended you book for after you have completed all your re-licensing and BCP requirements. Make sure you book a hearing before your disqualification, cancellation or suspended time comes to an end.
Applying to get your licence back | Magistrates Court of Victoria (mcv.vic.gov.au)
Program Fees
| Program Name | Concession | Full Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive Drink and Drug Driver Program | $750.00 which includes a non-refundable deposit of $34 | $780.00 which includes a non-refundable deposit of $67 | |
| Drug Driver Program | $370.00 which includes a non-refundable deposit of $34 | $400.00 which includes a non-refundable deposit of $67 | |
| Drink Driver Program | $370.00 which includes a non-refundable deposit of $34 | $400.00 which includes a non-refundable deposit of $67 | |
| Pre-Interlock Removal Program | No concession | $200 Flat Fee | |
It is your responsibility to ensure you are enrolled into the correct program as per your re-licensing letter from VicRoads. Refunds will not be provided in the case of incorrect enrolment.
You are required to have your re-licensing letter from VicRoads confirming program requirements prior to booking in with us. Please contact VicRoads on 13 11 71 to obtain a new copy of your re-licensing letter PRIOR to booking in with us. You can visit their website for more information HERE
Refund Policy & Cancellations
Participants must advise us if they need to cancel their place in a program within at least 5 business days before the commencement of their first session to be eligible to receive a refund.
Refunds will exclude the below non-refundable fees which apply to all program cancellations.
These are: $50 Administration Fee
$67 VicRoads Recovery Fee ($34 Concession)
If you fail to inform us of the need to cancel within less than 5 business days’ notice before the first session, you will forfeit all fees paid unless you can demonstrate documented evidence of your unforeseen absence (e.g., a valid medical certificate).
Consider if you need to cancel your place or transfer to another session (see Transfers Policy below.)
Transfers Policy & Failures to attend
Transfers will only be allowed where there are vacancies available, and you provide us with sufficient notice (minimum 5 business days).
VicRoads stipulate that any rescheduled programs must take place within four-weeks of the last attended or booked session.
Failure to reschedule/attend a new program within 4 weeks will result in you forfeiting all fees paid, you will then need to re-enrol in a new program and pay new program fees.
If you have already attended the first session of a program but need to transfer to a new program date, you will incur an administration fee of $50 for the transfer.
We will only grant these types of transfers where a valid medical certificate from a GP can be provided. If you cannot attend any sessions and do not advise us in advance, you will forfeit all fees paid unless you can demonstrate documented evidence of your unforeseen absence (e.g., a valid medical certificate)
Attendance Conditions
Late arrivals are not guaranteed entry. If you arrive more than 10 minutes after the start time, you will be denied entry and will forfeit the program and all fees paid.
Smoking shall not be permitted at any time in the area where assessments/education program sessions are conducted. You must attend and participate unaffected by alcohol or other drugs.
It is expected that all participants contribute to a safe and inclusive therapeutic environment.
Disruptive and aggressive behaviour is not acceptable and will result in expulsion from the group.
We request that all participants respect the rights and privacy of other group members and do not disclose personal information of other group members to people outside of the program (particularly information that would identify people, such as names).
If you require an interpreter or need any additional support, you must notify us as soon as possible, before the program begins. Failure to do this, could result in you not being suitably ready for the program and assessed as not able to participate. In this case, you will forfeit your costs.
Please note bookings will not be made unless participants have their re-licensing letter from VicRoads. If you do not have this please contact VicRoads on 1300 723 790 chose option 2 and ask for a copy of your letter to be provided to you by email or post.
To register for a program, please fill in the form below or call Ballarat Community Health on (03) 5338 4500
PLEASE NOTE: Your deposit is required at the time of your enrolment. Thank you.
Our programs are delivered by experienced alcohol and other drug facilitators, who can help you by:
- providing drink or drug driving behaviour change programs
- conducting assessments and submitting court reports as required
- providing someone to talk to about the process
- assisting other professionals with information and support.
Important Links:
VicRoads Links:
Interlock Providers:
