A Sydney man, 36, has been charged over his alleged role in a sophisticated $1.8 million fraud, following an investigation by the Australian Government Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT).
Following reports of suspicious financial transactions, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) began an investigation in June 2024 with the support of NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) and FFT agencies, including the AFP and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission).
The 36-year-old man was arrested at a Sydney police station yesterday (Thursday 8 October, 2026), where he was charged with:
Twelve counts of dishonestly obtaining a gain from a Commonwealth entity, contrary to section 135.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
One count of intentionally dealing with the proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more, contrary to section 400.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth)
These offences carry maximum penalties of 10 years’ and 25 years’ imprisonment, respectively.
The man was remanded in custody and will appear before Penrith Local Court today (9 October, 2026).
It will be alleged the man was the director of a registered NDIS provider and submitted fraudulent invoices, totalling about $1.89 million, between March, 2020, and January, 2024, for services that were never provided.
In April 2025, the NSW Police Force and NSWCC in a joint operation with NDIA executed search warrants across multiple Sydney locations resulting in the NSWCC commencing restraining and seizure orders for 38 properties and 16 vehicles, with a combined value of more than $40 million. The civil process remains before the NSW Supreme Court.
In May 2025, the NDIS Commission issued a banning order against the man and a permanent banning order against the linked registered NDIS provider business.
AFP Detective Superintendent Timothy Underhill said authorities would allege the matter involved a deliberate attempt to exploit a scheme designed to support some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.
“Those who seek to exploit government programs for personal gain are warned agencies across Australia are working together to identify offending and take action against those responsible,” Det Supt Underhill said.
“Fraud undermines the integrity of the NDIS and diverts funding intended to support Australians living with disability.”
A NDIA spokeswoman said the Fraud Fusion Taskforce worked to protect NDIS participants and the supports they rely on.
“Smarter systems, sharper intelligence and coordinated action are catching the people seeking to exploit the NDIS,” she said.
“With our partners, we’re closing gaps exploited by criminals, detecting suspicious activity earlier and bringing alleged offenders before the courts.”
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said: “Conduct that seeks to improperly profit from NDIS funding undermines the scheme and takes resources away from people with disability.
“The NDIS Commission will continue to use its regulatory and enforcement powers to address non-compliance and protect participants from harm.
“Working alongside our law enforcement and government partners, we will continue to pursue those who seek to exploit the scheme for personal gain.”
NSWCC Director of Investigations Hany Elbatoory said: “This investigation demonstrates the NSWCC’s commitment to working with state and commonwealth law enforcement partners to target those exploiting government support programs in NSW by stripping criminal wealth.”
The FFT is a multi-agency taskforce comprising 25 agencies, co-led by the NDIA and Services Australia, including the NDIS Commission and AFP. It focuses 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 and scams helpline on 1800 650 717. An interpreter service is available (13 14 50) as well as an online NDIS Fraud reporting form.
