Private debt collectors will be used to recover the $850 million owed in overdue fines to NSW coffers.

NSW Finance Minister Greg Pearce says the $850 million owed to the NSW Office of State Revenue (OSR) was mainly from outstanding traffic infringements.

"The level of outstanding fines to the OSR is unsustainable both from a debt management and enforcement point of view," Mr Pearce said today.

"While the vast majority of people pay fines on time it is not fair for a small minority to commit offences and leave the rest to foot the bill.

"It makes a mockery of police officers and the courts who issue the fines and a mockery of those who do the right thing."