When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was introduced in 2013, it brought a ray of hope to thousands of Australians living with a disability – the promise of more affordable, accessible and appropriate support and services from providers.

But sadly, it’s also drawn in those looking to make a quick buck at the expense of vulnerable Australians.

Recently, mounting evidence of fraudulent claims for payment to the NDIS has prompted the Albanese government to take urgent action, setting up a Fraud Fusion Taskforce to investigate suspect providers and suppliers. The taskforce is a part of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to combat fraud within the NDIS.

The taskforce will continue to investigate NDIS fraud. Image Credit: Shutterstock

The federal taskforce has already identified two Victorian companies – Millennium Disability Care Pty Ltd, based in Williams Landing, and Australian Home and Community Care, based in Kurunjang – who were found to be submitting false payment claims for services that were never delivered.

The two establishments have since been banned from providing services to people with a disability, and the government has also issued banning orders to each of the company’s directors. Millennium Disability Care Pty Ltd has also already had its registration revoked.

NDIS and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten says the banning orders 'send a strong message to any provider trying to take advantage of the NDIS and Australian taxpayers'.

'Australians relying on government services and the NDIS are some of our most vulnerable, and any person or organisation taking advantage of their safety net must be stopped,' he said.

This goes to show that Senator Bill Shorten’s warnings of ‘you will be caught’ should be taken seriously.

And it’s not just providers - organised criminals involved in drug trafficking, violence and money laundering have also been trying to exploit the NDIS to make a profit.

An investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes last year found members of Sydney’s notorious Hamzy crime network had infiltrated the NDIS.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Chief Michael Phelan estimated that as much as 15 to 20 per cent of the $30 billion it costs a year might be being misused.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself or your family members:

• Double check providers’ credentials and any previous disciplinary action taken against them.

• Ask questions if you’re not clear on any agreement and instant alarm bells should go off if anyone asks for upfront payments.

• Use only reputable providers and stick to the national guidelines for NDIS services.

• Always have an independent third party present when signing contracts or agreements.

• If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it immediately.

If you suspect someone is doing the wrong thing with NDIS funds, you should report it, report it by either calling the NDIS Fraud Reporting and Scams Helpline on 1800 650 717 or emailing [email protected].

Key Takeaways

• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has issued a banning order against two Victorian companies found to have charged taxpayers for services that were never delivered.
• The new federal taskforce set up to catch fraudulent providers to the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been exposed.
• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief Michael Phelan estimated that as much as 15 to 20 per cent of the $30 billion it costs a year might be being misused.
• NDIS commissioner Tracy Mackey said her agency was taking ‘swift action’ when NDIS providers and their personnel fail to meet their obligations.

We all know how precious our hard-earned money is, and we must not let fraudsters get away with taking what’s not theirs.

Above all, it’s vital to remain vigilant to help protect our fellow Australians who rely on these important services.

Members, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below. If you have experienced or heard of any scams related to the NDIS, then please let us know in the comments below. Together, we can help keep our community safe.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I just spent the past 24 hours with my mother ,who came to Sydney for my uncle's funeral yesterday.
I had previously told her to keep notes in a diary for housekeeping ect. She brought it with her

I sat and went over it and was shocked to see the cleaner who comes out every Friday for 2 hours actually arrives late and leaves early. They are suppose to arrive 10am and leave 12pm.
In her diary they arrive no earlier that 10.10 and leave no latter than 11.40 that's at least 30 minutes she is paying for and not receiving. She has told the lady who is her case worker but it is still happening .
30 minutes weekly = 2 hours monthly which is $60

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

The article does not specify if the directors of the offending organisation have been charged as plainly the offences are at least fraudulent and without court action, it would be wrong to ban anyone

 

[Lynjw]

When the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was introduced in 2013, it brought a ray of hope to thousands of Australians living with a disability – the promise of more affordable, accessible and appropriate support and services from providers.

But sadly, it’s also drawn in those looking to make a quick buck at the expense of vulnerable Australians.

Recently, mounting evidence of fraudulent claims for payment to the NDIS has prompted the Albanese government to take urgent action, setting up a Fraud Fusion Taskforce to investigate suspect providers and suppliers. The taskforce is a part of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to combat fraud within the NDIS.

View attachment 12120

The taskforce will continue to investigate NDIS fraud. Image Credit: Shutterstock

The federal taskforce has already identified two Victorian companies – Millennium Disability Care Pty Ltd, based in Williams Landing, and Australian Home and Community Care, based in Kurunjang – who were found to be submitting false payment claims for services that were never delivered.

The two establishments have since been banned from providing services to people with a disability, and the government has also issued banning orders to each of the company’s directors. Millennium Disability Care Pty Ltd has also already had its registration revoked.

NDIS and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten says the banning orders 'send a strong message to any provider trying to take advantage of the NDIS and Australian taxpayers'.

'Australians relying on government services and the NDIS are some of our most vulnerable, and any person or organisation taking advantage of their safety net must be stopped,' he said.

This goes to show that Senator Bill Shorten’s warnings of ‘you will be caught’ should be taken seriously.

And it’s not just providers - organised criminals involved in drug trafficking, violence and money laundering have also been trying to exploit the NDIS to make a profit.

An investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes last year found members of Sydney’s notorious Hamzy crime network had infiltrated the NDIS.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Chief Michael Phelan estimated that as much as 15 to 20 per cent of the $30 billion it costs a year might be being misused.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself or your family members:

• Double check providers’ credentials and any previous disciplinary action taken against them.

• Ask questions if you’re not clear on any agreement and instant alarm bells should go off if anyone asks for upfront payments.

• Use only reputable providers and stick to the national guidelines for NDIS services.

• Always have an independent third party present when signing contracts or agreements.

• If you suspect you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it immediately.

If you suspect someone is doing the wrong thing with NDIS funds, you should report it, report it by either calling the NDIS Fraud Reporting and Scams Helpline on 1800 650 717 or emailing [email protected].

Key Takeaways

• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has issued a banning order against two Victorian companies found to have charged taxpayers for services that were never delivered.
• The new federal taskforce set up to catch fraudulent providers to the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been exposed.
• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief Michael Phelan estimated that as much as 15 to 20 per cent of the $30 billion it costs a year might be being misused.
• NDIS commissioner Tracy Mackey said her agency was taking ‘swift action’ when NDIS providers and their personnel fail to meet their obligations.

We all know how precious our hard-earned money is, and we must not let fraudsters get away with taking what’s not theirs.

Above all, it’s vital to remain vigilant to help protect our fellow Australians who rely on these important services.

Members, we’d love to hear your thoughts on this in the comments below. If you have experienced or heard of any scams related to the NDIS, then please let us know in the comments below. Together, we can help keep our community safe.

Glad they got caught.