The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Government Services, the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, can today announce two recent fraud investigations have been undertaken to crack down on large scale fraud worth millions.
Led by the National Disability Insurance Agency and Services Australia, the Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) is continuing to clamp down on criminals seeking to exploit the Scheme and Australians who rely on extra support.
Earlier this month, the NDIA led a Taskforce investigation in partnership with 11 FFT partner organisations with five search warrants executed in western Sydney.
Close to 50 Agency investigators plus partners and law enforcement were on the ground to support the warrants and through coordinated efforts, the FFT was able to crack down on large scale fraud worth millions.
And in a separate matter, one man will face court in January after he was among five people charged with defrauding the Scheme through the hijacking of ABNs.
Minister Shorten said the FFT continues to leave no stone unturned in its quest to expose rorts and help bring those responsible to justice.
“These are very serious cases involving millions of dollars of money meant for people with disability,” Minister Shorten said.
“The recent activity – and other parallel investigations – are the result of the Taskforce using its combined powers to take action,” he said.
“Heading into 2025, criminals should be on notice.
“Our warning for crooks remains firmer than ever. If you think you can take money from the pockets of the Australians who need it the most, you’d better think again as we will be watching.”
Over the last 6 months alone, the FFT executed around 20 warrants on individuals and entities suspected of defrauding the NDIS of millions.
This has included cases of significant unexplained wealth including multi-million-dollar houses, luxury cars and high-end watches.
There are currently more than 500 active investigations, with around 120 fraud investigators focused on serious organised criminals, tax agents, allied health professionals and NDIS providers.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) supported the execution of warrants in three recent operations. A range of matters identified during the investigations have already resulted in regulatory action being taken, with possible further action being undertaken by the NDIS Commission.
Additionally, Services Australia’s digital forensics experts have provided support with recent matters, particularly with the execution of warrants and seizing of key evidence.
More broadly, the FFT, which recently celebrated its two-year milestone, has seen a 12-month period of significant results.
In 2024 alone, the NDIA has:
- Implemented integrity interventions estimated to save the Scheme over $200 million in forecast non-compliant payments through providers banned or subject to manual payment reviews. A further $400 million is forecast to be diverted away from dodgy providers into higher quality spending on genuine disability supports and services.
- Received more than 26,000 tip-offs alerting the Agency of potential fraud or non-compliance against the Scheme.
- Identified more than 15,000 NDIS participants who may have been impacted by fraudulent providers and supported thousands to transition to safer arrangements, including changing providers.
Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline on 1800 650 717, or fill out our online NDIS Fraud reporting form.