Victoria’s ombudsman has found seven councils and agencies unlawfully used private contractors for parking ticket disputes.

The ruling could see over 17,000 parking fines overturned. 

Last year, Glen Eira, Port Phillip and Stonnington councils were ordered to refund almost $20 million in fines after they breached the Infringements Act, which requires councils to handle parking fine appeals internally.

Ombudsman Deborah Glass has now issued a follow-up report that found the City of Greater Geelong, Frankston City Council, Mildura Rural City Council, Bass Coast Shire Council, Hume City Council, Monash University and Parks Victoria had outsourced their internal reviews of parking fines too. 

Some of the councils had been running this way for more than 10 years, with more than 268,000 fines potentially affected. 

Ms Glass says the actual number of unlawful fines could be much higher. 

“It's difficult to put exact figures on this because probably half of those agencies haven't been able to tell us the information,” she said.

All seven of the latest groups identified have promised to begin reviewing all parking infringements internally, and work on refund schemes for fined motorists. 

Ms Glass said drivers who have challenged parking fines at any of the identified councils or agencies could be eligible for a refund. 

“Tens of thousands of people have been affected by this saga, and I am pleased that all agencies concerned have now agreed to set up refund schemes,” Ms Glass said.

“Fines are part of life and if people do the wrong thing they should be fined — but it needs to be done properly, fairly and in accordance with legislation.”