A Whittlesea woman who led a syndicate that defrauded the Commonwealth of $800,000 through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Child Care Subsidy, and other programs has been sentenced to a total of seven years and seven months in prison. She will be eligible for parole after five years and seven months.
The 55-year-old, identified as the principal offender in the two-year AFP-led Operation Persei investigation, was sentenced on Friday to an additional two years and six months imprisonment, adding to previous sentences for related offences.
Investigators found the woman misused NDIS funds intended for her child with a disability to purchase a residential property. She also set up a NDIS provider business and collaborated with a Melton-based provider, 57, to defraud the scheme. Further charges revealed she falsely claimed childcare subsidies for her seven children over four years.
The investigation uncovered that the woman recruited others from her community to divert funds intended for vulnerable and disabled Australians to enrich themselves. Victims included NDIS participants who were denied access to essential care and support.
The syndicate, which included five members, collectively stole about $800,000. Other sentences handed down as part of Operation Persei include:
- A 36-year-old Lalor man, jailed for four years with eligibility for parole after two years and eight months.
- A 57-year-old Melton woman, given a 12-month order under s19B of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
- A 38-year-old Meadow Heights woman, sentenced to 12 months’ Community Corrections and 150 hours of unpaid community service.
- A 37-year-old Coburg woman, given a 12-month s19B order.
AFP Detective Superintendent Bernard Geason said the fraud was “abhorrent” and that targeting schemes designed to assist vulnerable Australians would not be tolerated.
“The AFP works tirelessly with agency partners to protect taxpayers’ money and ensure the integrity of the welfare system,” Det-Supt Geason said.
“This investigation not only led to arrests but also prevented further fraud. Law enforcement and partners will ensure that fraud does not pay.”
An NDIA spokesperson said the sentence reinforced that serious crimes against the NDIS would carry real consequences.
“Multi-agency action is vital in identifying, disrupting and prosecuting criminal activity targeting government payment programs. We act to protect participants and ensure funding reaches those it is intended for,” the spokesperson said.
A Department of Education spokesperson welcomed the outcome as part of ongoing efforts to tackle childcare fraud. “All allegations of fraud and non-compliance are taken seriously, and the Government continues to strengthen detection, compliance and prosecution efforts to protect public funds,” the spokesperson said.
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