Key points:
- Fraud is when people do the wrong thing on purpose.
- There are different types of fraud and all types of fraud are a crime.
- People who commit fraud against NDIS participants and the NDIS will be caught.
Fraud is a crime.
Fraud happens when people get benefits for themselves or others by being dishonest on purpose.
It could be someone trying to be paid with NDIS funds for a support that they don’t provide to an NDIS participant.
Fraud is more than carelessness or making a mistake, which could be a type of non-compliance.
Different types of fraud
There are different types of fraud and all are illegal. Fraud can include:
- Making false claims: claiming for supports that were not provided, charging for more than what was provided, claiming the same invoice more than once or charging more than agreed for the supports provided.
- Overpricing: charging an NDIS participant more for a support than the recommended price guide, or more than some who does not have an NDIS plan is charged. This is also called price gouging.
- Access fraud: using fake information and evidence when trying to become an NDIS participant.
- Eligibility fraud: using fake information and evidence to try get more funding in an NDIS plan.
- Identity theft: using fake identification information or someone else’s identity, contact details or address to try get access to an NDIS participant’s funds.
- Deliberate non-disability related spending: using NDIS fund to pay for everyday expenses or items that are not NDIS supports, such as rent, home loan repayments or utility bills.
We investigate all reports of fraud
It is important to remember it is not your fault if you are a victim of fraud.
You should report it if you think someone is doing the wrong thing with NDIS funds.
Tip-offs help us identify people who might be committing fraud.
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce investigates individuals and businesses deliberately doing the wrong thing with NDIS funds.
People who commit fraud against participants and the NDIS will be caught.
Anyone who is taking part in fraud or non-compliant behaviours can have a range of consequences. These can include:
- Education, requests to take corrective action or warnings.
- Suspending payments.
- Auditing payments and raising debt.
- Suspending or cancelling provider registration.
- Banning a person and/or provider from providing NDIS supports and services.
- Criminal enforcement (arrest, charges and prosecution for activities associated with serious criminal activity which includes the possibility of jail).
- Seeking civil penalties.
The safety and wellbeing of all participants remains our priority when we investigate or take action against fraud or non-compliance.