Victoria Police boss Shane Patton believes a beefed-up fine will be enough to deter unlawful gatherings in the absence of Melbourne's nightly curfew.
The city's 9pm to 5am curfew was lifted on Monday, eight weeks after coming into effect to limit movement and aid enforcement efforts amid the state's devastating second wave.
The chief commissioner welcomed the state government raising the penalty for people attending parties and other gatherings to compensate for the absence of a curfew.
"I would like to think a $5000 fine is going to act as a general deterrent," Mr Patton told reporters on Monday.
"I think when you put a number five with three zeros next to it, it is such a significant hit to the pocket that people will say it's just not worth the risk.
"It's as simple as that."
Mr Patton acknowledged dropping the curfew would mean more people moving about but indicated police were equipped with "adequate powers" to handle it.
"You still have to have one of the four reasons to leave home," he said.
