CANBERRA, ACT, June 10 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police,the National Disability Insurance Agency, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Editor's note: Arrest vision and images available for download
An Adelaide woman has been arrested and charged today(10 June,2026) over an alleged plot to defraud more than $5 million from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The woman has been bailed and is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 20 August, 2026.
An investigation by theAustralian GovernmentFraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) -encompassing the AFP, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission - began inMarch, 2026,after theNDIAidentified unauthorised access to protected records of NDIA participants.
It is alleged the woman, a NDIA employee, accessed more than 40 NDIA participantrecords without authorisation, both while at work and outside work hours.
The NDIA further alleges the woman submitted fraudulent claims against the plans of members of her family who are NDIS participants, including in circumstances where supports and services were not provided to them.
FFT investigators allege the woman received more than $53,000 from the local NDIA provider as part of the total alleged $5 million plot.
Further FFT investigations also revealed the woman allegedly failed to declare her connection with the NDIA business to her employer, as well as her relative's employment in that business, as a conflict of interest.
AFP officers,togetherwith investigators from NDIA and NDIS Commission and assistance from South Australia Police and Services Australia, executed a search warrant at a home in the Adelaide suburb of Blakeview today. Policelocatedand seized numerous electronic devices, including online remote account data.
The woman, 48, was charged with:
* One count of disclosing protected agency information whilst not being authorised or required to do so, contrary to section 62 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.* One count of being a public official, abuse of public office by exercising influence, and using information obtained in the course of duties, to dishonestly obtain a benefit, contrary to section 142.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.* One count of attempting to forge false documents with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth, namely the National Disability Insurance Agency, contrary to section 144.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment; and* One count of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage for another person, contrary to section 135.2(2) of the Criminal Code(Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
Additional search warrants were also executed today at a home at Mawson Lakes and at a business at Prospect, where investigators located several electronic devices. The items have been seized for further forensic analysis.
Investigations are ongoing and further charges are expected to be laid.
AFP Detective Inspector Aidan Milner said the collective strength of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce was vital to detect and stop those who sought to exploit Commonwealth payments designed to assist some of Australia's most vulnerable communities.
"Fraud of Commonwealth programs is an area of key focus for the AFP and its partners," Det-Insp Milner said.
"Together, we will be relentless in our pursuit of anyone who seeks to exploit vulnerable Australians and steal public funds for their own personal greed. Those who attempt to flout the law will be identified, investigated, and brought before the court."
A NDIA spokesperson said anyone who abused their positionfor personal gain would becaught and held to account.
"The safety of participants and security of their personal information are absolute priorities," the spokesperson said.
"This arrest shows we act decisively when our systems detect alleged fraudulent activity and we pursue every lead with our Fraud Fusion Taskforce partners."
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said the community had zero tolerance for fraud.
"Fraud is fundamentally incompatible with the principles, purpose, and integrity of the NDIS," Commissioner Glanville said.
"The community rightly expects that the public funds entrusted to support some of the most vulnerable members of the community are spent appropriately. As part of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, we will continue to identify and stamp out fraudulent, corrupt, or deceptive conduct - no matter where it is found.
"All confirmed fraudulent activity is treated with utmost seriousness, and will be met with thorough investigation, strict enforcement action, and serious legal consequences for those who do the wrong thing."
The FFT is a multi-agency taskforce comprising 25 agencies, co-led by the NDIA and Services Australia, and also includes the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and the AFP, focusing on high-risk and serious criminal activity targeting government programs designed to help those most in need.
Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting andscamshelpline on 1800 650 717,an interpreter service is available at 13 14 50, emailfraudreporting@ndis.gov.au, or fill out the onlineNDIS Fraud reporting form.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
