An Adelaide woman has been charged over an alleged plan to defraud more than $5 million from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The 48-year-old was arrested on Wednesday and later bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on August 20, 2026.
The Australian Government’s Fraud Fusion Taskforce launched an investigation in March after the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) detected unauthorised access to protected participant records. Police allege the woman, an NDIA employee, accessed more than 40 participant files without authorisation, both during and outside work hours. She allegedly submitted fraudulent claims against the plans of family members who are NDIS participants, including for supports that were never provided.
Investigators allege she received more than $53,000 from a local NDIA provider as part of the broader alleged $5 million fraud plot. They also allege she failed to declare her connection to the provider - and a relative’s employment there - as a conflict of interest.
Search Warrants Executed
Australian Federal Police officers, with support from the NDIA, the NDIS Commission, SA Police and Services Australia, executed a search warrant at a Blakeview home today, seizing multiple electronic devices and online account data. Additional warrants were executed at Mawson Lakes and a business in Prospect.
Charges Laid
The woman has been charged with four Commonwealth offences, including disclosing protected agency information, abuse of public office, attempting to forge documents to cause a loss to the Commonwealth, and dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage for another person. Investigators say further charges are expected.
AFP Detective Inspector Aidan Milner said the taskforce was critical in stopping those who sought to exploit vulnerable Australians. “We will be relentless in our pursuit of anyone who seeks to exploit vulnerable Australians and steal public funds for their own personal greed,” he said.
An NDIA spokesperson said the agency acted swiftly when its systems detected suspicious activity. “The safety of participants and security of their personal information are absolute priorities,” the spokesperson said. NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said the community had “zero tolerance for fraud”.
Anyone with information about suspected NDIS fraud is urged to contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline.
