NDIS insider charged over alleged $5m plot to defraud disability scheme

A government staffer has been charged over an alleged plot to defraud millions of dollars from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Authorities were tipped off to the alleged plot when a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) worker allegedly gained unauthorised access to protected records of participants in March this year.

NDIA is a government agency that holds all the NDIS funds and is responsible for implementing the scheme nationwide.

It manages the funds and approves payments for NDIS participants’ support packages.

Police allege the NDIA employee accessed more than 40 records without authorisation at work and outside work hours.

It is alleged the Adelaide woman, 48, submitted fraudulent claims against the plans of her family members who were NDIS participants, including supports and services that were not provided to them.

An Australian Government Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) claim the woman received more than $53,000 from a local NDIA provider as part of an alleged $5m plot.

Investigators also allege she failed to declare her connection with a NDIA business to her employer, as well as her relative’s employment in that business, as a conflict of interest.

AFP officers, NDIA and NDIS investigators, South Australia Police and Services Australia raided the woman’s Blakeview home on Thursday and seized electronic devices.

She was charged with several offences including: disclosing protected agency information while not being authorised or required to do so; 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; attempting to forge false documents with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth, namely the National Disability Insurance Agency; and dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage for another person.

A Mawson Lakes home and Prospect business were also raided where authorities seized more electronic devices that will undergo forensic analysis.

Police expect to lay further charges as the investigation continue.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Detective Inspector Aidan Milner said the collective strength of the Taskforce was vital to detect and stop people who exploited Commonwealth payments designed to assist vulnerable communities.

A NDIA spokesman said anyone who abused their position for personal gain would be caught and held to account.

“The safety of participants and security of their personal information are absolute priorities,” the spokesman 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.