Three people have faced court for defrauding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) while another disability provider awaits sentencing as the Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) clamps down on criminals looking to exploit the Scheme.
These latest fraud cases have come before the courts as the National Disability Insurance Agency's (NDIA) has boosted its internal payment systems to further safeguard the Scheme. The $83.9 million Crack Down on Fraud program is already yielding results, with integrity uplifts resulting in more than $75 million in payments being stopped since July 2024.
The most recent court cases have seen four people - from three separate matters across two states - face court and plead guilty to charges of ripping off the NDIS.
They include:
- A North-West Sydney registered NDIS provider pleading guilty to fraud-related offences totalling more than $1 million. She will be sentenced in coming months.
- A Western Sydney individual sentenced to 10 months' jail for 'Dealing with Proceeds of Crime' with a fraud value of $69,000. The man had been an NDIS participant before having his access to the Scheme revoked. It was found he had colluded with family members - who had been operating as a disability provider - to defraud the NDIS. Those additional family members will face sentencing over their role in this matter in the coming months.
- Two people in Victoria's Gippsland region sentenced to community correction orders and community work for creating false invoices to defraud an NDIS plan, in a FFT operation that saw Victoria Police and NDIA investigators work together.
The NDIS Minister, the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, said these cases were a timely reminder of the NDIA enhanced capability to detect and prevent fraud against the Scheme.
"The Albanese Government has been focused on fraud in the Scheme since being elected, and has invested accordingly to ensure people looking to exploit the NDIS are caught and prosecuted," Minister Shorten said.
"For anyone out there still thinking they might be able to rip off participants and the NDIS, think again.
"The establishment of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce means you're taking on the collaborative power of 21 Commonwealth agencies, as well as state-based police, working together. For any dodgy provider doing the wrong thing, I guess the question you have to ask yourself is: Do you feel lucky?"
"Providers need to understand that they can't be 'half honest'. If the NDIA suspects something might be dodgy about a submitted claim, the Agency won't pay it and will make enquiries," Minister Shorten said.
"If fraudulent activity is detected, its first priority is ensuring participant safety and welfare - meaning the Agency will move participants to alternative providers - and may then launch an investigation into the provider.
"Pleasingly, the disability community is playing its part. Tip-offs have more than doubled since we introduced the Taskforce, with more than 5,000 tip-offs received so far this financial year."
People can report fraud or non-compliance by filling in the online tip-off form
