A Sydney man has been charged over an alleged $1.5 million fraud targeting the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), with authorities claiming the offences are linked to organised criminal activity.
The 33-year-old is expected to appear in court today after being arrested by the Australian Federal Police at a construction site in Tahmoor on 23 April 2026.
Investigators allege the man fraudulently submitted claims as a registered NDIS provider for services that were never delivered. The case was first referred to the multi-agency Fraud Fusion Taskforce in January 2024.
Police claim more than $1.5 million was falsely obtained through around 80 claims made against 22 unsuspecting NDIS participants between January and March 2024.
A search warrant executed at a Bankstown apartment in June 2024 allegedly uncovered evidence linking the man to the claims.
Authorities had previously issued a two-year ban in August 2024, preventing him from providing or participating in any NDIS-related services under the NDIS Act 2013.
Following further investigations, an arrest warrant was secured in February 2026 before the AFP launched an operation to locate him.
The man has now been charged with 22 counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and 10 counts of attempting to obtain a financial advantage by deception. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
AFP Acting Commander Timothy Underhill said the case highlights the agency’s focus on protecting public funds and vulnerable Australians.
“The AFP works closely with its partners in the Fraud Fusion Taskforce to detect and stop targeted fraud which steals money from taxpayers while depriving vulnerable communities of essential care,” he said.
A spokesperson for the National Disability Insurance Agency said the arrest sends a strong warning to those attempting to exploit the scheme.
“Those who seek to profit from the NDIS will be caught and will face the full force of the law,” the spokesperson said.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said regulators had already acted to remove the accused from the scheme and would continue pursuing fraudulent operators.
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce, which includes 24 agencies such as the NDIA, Services Australia, the AFP and the Australian Taxation Office, targets serious and organised criminal activity impacting government programs.
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