Attorney-General Robert Hulls announced the plan last week. Until March 19, those with State Government-issued unpaid fines will have all extra charges taken off and will pay only the original cost of the infringement.

Hume had the highest amount of unpaid fines in Melbourne's north-west, with 189,882 from 23,742 residents. Brimbank had 30,176 people with 178,916 fines. Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong residents combined had 129,018 fines overdue.

"This fee waiver gives people the opportunity and incentive to act on their fines instead of simply hoping they will go away," Mr Hulls said.

The waiver applies to all Government-issued fines, including those from the Department of Transport, Victoria Police and Department of Primary Industry.

Eleven local councils are also taking part in the waiver - Brimbank, Melbourne, Yarra, Moonee Valley, Port Phillip, Kingston, Greater Shepparton, West Wimmera, Monash, Stonnington and Campaspe Shire.

But those with unpaid fines have been warned. Once the waiver period is over, the sherrif will get tough.

"With the addition of 22 new Sheriff's Officers and initiatives such as wheel clamping and registration non-renewal, fine defaulters will face a concerted enforcement operation," Mr Hulls said.

Officers will also be able to use new automated number plate recognition technology, which allows them to electronically verify the number of warrants belonging to individual fine defaulters.