The Australian Government established the NDIS Fraud Taskforce in July 2018 to tackle serious fraud against the NDIS.
The Taskforce is a partnership between the NDIA, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to identify targets of interest and conduct joint investigations to disrupt any suspected fraudulent activity.
The Taskforce has already identified a small number of providers who may be seeking to exploit the NDIS.
These providers are under investigation by the Taskforce.
As a result of these on-going investigations a number of providers have been blocked from accessing payments while suspicious claims are being investigated, to ensure participants are protected.
The NDIA has also commenced contacting a small number of impacted participants. The NDIA will ensure participants funds are reinstated, where appropriate.
The NDIA is continuously improving systems and controls as the NDIS, a major national reform, is implemented across Australia.
To this effect enhancements are regularly being made to the NDIS provider portal to facilitate its effectiveness and to further strengthen controls against unscrupulous behaviour.
Anyone who is aware that fraud is being committed against the NDIS should contact the police or the NDIS fraud hotline on 1800 650 717.
The NDIA and Commonwealth Government will not tolerate the misuse of funds intended to support people with disability and takes all reports of suspected fraud seriously.
Fraud is a crime. People who commit criminal acts run the risk of being subject to criminal prosecution.