Sydney Man Charged Over Alleged $1.5 Million NDIS Fraud Scheme
A 33-year-old man from Sydney has been arrested and charged over an alleged $1.5 million fraud targeting the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with authorities stating he is expected to appear before Camden Local Court on 23 April 2026.
According to a joint statement from the Australian Federal Police and partner agencies, the man first came under investigation by the Fraud Fusion Taskforce in January 2024. Investigators suspected he had been fraudulently submitting claims while operating as a registered NDIS provider.
Authorities allege the man claimed more than $1.5 million for services that were never delivered. Evidence gathered during a search warrant executed at an apartment in Bankstown in June 2024 reportedly linked him to 80 claims made against 22 NDIS participants without their knowledge between January and March 2024.
It is understood that in August 2024, the National Disability Insurance Agency imposed a two-year banning order under the NDIS Act, preventing the man from providing any NDIS-related services.
Following further investigations, an arrest warrant was issued in February 2026. Officers from the AFP later located and arrested the man at a construction site in Tahmoor on 23 April 2026.
Police stated that the man has been charged with 22 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and 10 counts of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception under the Criminal Code Act 1995. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Acting Commander Timothy Underhill was quoted as saying that authorities remain committed to targeting organised crime groups attempting to exploit government support programs. He indicated that such fraud not only affects taxpayers but also deprives vulnerable individuals of essential services.
A spokesperson for the NDIA reportedly stated that the arrest demonstrates a strong national response to those seeking to exploit the NDIS, adding that offenders would be identified and prosecuted.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said the Commission would continue taking firm action against fraudulent behaviour, noting that the individual had already been banned from the scheme.
Australian Taxation Office Assistant Commissioner Simon Hellmers also welcomed the outcome, stating that the ATO remains committed to working with partner agencies to prevent and detect fraud affecting government programs and the tax system.
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce, a multi-agency initiative involving 24 government bodies and co-led by the NDIA and Services Australia, focuses on serious and organised criminal activity targeting public funding programs.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about suspected NDIS fraud to report it via official channels.
Source: Joint media release by the Australian Federal Police, National Disability Insurance Agency, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, and Australian Taxation Office.
