Which of the following is NOT a penalty for non-compliance regarding payment?

In the context of penalties for non-compliance regarding payment, "Increased application fees" is not typically classified as a direct penalty in the same way as the other options. The correct choice reflects that increased application fees are often part of the administrative process rather than a punitive measure specifically directed at incidents of non-compliance.

Loss of approval certificates, public hearings to contest penalties, and additional fines based on unpaid amounts are all direct consequences that can result from failure to comply with payment obligations. These measures are designed to enforce compliance and maintain the integrity of regulatory processes. The loss of certification signals the serious nature of non-compliance, while public hearings can serve as a platform for accountability and engagement over the penalties being assessed. Additional fines aim to compel proper adherence to payment requirements by increasing the financial consequences of non-compliance.

In summary, the nature of increased application fees does not align as a punitive consequence for failure to pay, thus making it the correct answer.