Minister for the NDIS, Bill Shorten, is zeroing in on those who would fleece Australians with permanent and significant disability of their National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding.
This week in Queensland, one woman has been jailed for more than two years and another woman will face charges following separate matters related to fraud against the NDIS.
“Any type of deceptive or fraudulent behaviour that targets the safety net to support our fellow Australians with permanent and significant disability is shameless and despicable,” Minister Shorten said.
“These people pretend to support NDIS participants but instead try to rip them off by blatantly over-charging and skimming extra money from their plans.
“Let these activities speak for themselves: time is up and it’s only time until it is you who is caught, charged and sentenced.”
Over $300K allegedly stolen by provider
On Thursday 25 August, a Queensland-based provider was arrested and charged following allegations of attempting to defraud the Scheme of more than $300,000.
Investigators from the National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) fraud team were contacted by Dalby Police when they received complaints of an unregistered provider in Queensland’s south-west overcharging NDIS participants.
NDIA investigators, working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service, identified the woman was allegedly lodging fraudulent claims against the plans of participants as far reaching as Far North Queensland and Victoria.
The woman was arrested and later charged with fraud offences to an alleged value of approximately $311,000. This figure is expected to increase with the NDIA and Queensland Police continuing their investigation.
Almost $100K stolen through fraudulent activity
The same day, another woman faced sentencing in Bundaberg District Court over a separate matter.
She was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment after she was found to have committed fraud against the NDIS to the value of almost $100,000.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, which regulates the provision of NDIS supports and services has the power to take action against providers, including the issuing of banning orders.
The Commission works with the NDIA fraud team to ensure providers do not breach their obligations, and the NDIA works with affected participants to ensure continued funding for their necessary supports.
Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS Fraud Reporting and Scams Helpline on 1800 650 717, or email [email protected].