Media Release by The Hon Dan Tehan MP

NDIS Fraud Taskforce established to tackle crime

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Michael Keenan MP, Minister for Human Services, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Transformation

    The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security

The Government will establish a dedicated taskforce to tackle fraud committed against the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS Fraud Taskforce will be a joint operation involving the Department of Human Services, the National Disability Insurance Agency and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The Taskforce will have 100 dedicated personnel to tackle fraud through combined law enforcement efforts, increased information sharing and analytics, and enhanced connections across government.

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said the Government was putting on notice criminals who try to rip off the NDIS.

“The Government takes fraud very seriously, and people who commit fraud against the NDIS are taking money from Australians with a disability — which will not be tolerated,” Mr Tehan said.

“The NDIS will only succeed with the support of the Australian people who fund it, and the NDIS Fraud Taskforce will help give people confidence their money is well spent.”

Minister for Human Services Michael Keenan said staff from his department had extensive experience in fraud detection and prevention and their involvement in the taskforce would greatly assist its efforts to stamp out fraud.

“The Government knows that most people are honest and only claim what they are entitled to,” Mr Keenan said.

“But there is always a minority who will seek to exploit the system and we must remain vigilant to ensure the NDIS remains viable and that taxpayer funds are only supporting those who genuinely need it.”

Minister for Law Enforcement Angus Taylor said the AFP was committed to investigating fraud against the Commonwealth through innovative investigative techniques.

“We are also focussed on preventing and disrupting large-scale fraud and to build upon a culture of integrity around the NDIS framework as a major social reform for the Australian community,” Mr Taylor said.

All reports of suspected fraudulent activity are taken seriously. People with concerns about fraud against the NDIS are encouraged to contact the Taskforce and make a report.

Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the Fraud Hotline on 1800 650 717.