The AFP has charged the owner of a Perth occupational therapy business that allegedly submitted fraudulent treatment claims to the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) totalling more than $7 million.
The Mount Hawthorn woman, 53, is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (12 September, 2025) charged with one count of dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.
The investigation that led to the charges was complex and comprehensive, including reviewing and analysing more than a decade's worth of claim data and documentation related to the business.
The AFP started the investigation after the department reported suspicions about an abnormally high volume and value of claims submitted by the woman's Mount Hawthorn business.
In March, 2023, AFP and DVA investigators executed search warrants at multiple premises, including the woman's home and the business, and seized items including documents.
In July 2025, the AFP was notified of suspicions the business had allegedly continued to make false claims after March, 2023.
After further investigation, on 13 August, 2025, the AFP and DVA investigators again executed search warrants on premises connected to the woman and her business and arrested her. She was charged and granted conditional bail to appear in court today (12 September, 2025).
The charge relates to allegations the woman's business frequently submitted payment claims between September, 2019, and March, 2023, that did not match the services it had provided to clients.
Inquiries remain ongoing into alleged fraudulent claims by the woman through her business after March, 2023.
The AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce obtained restraining orders in the District Court of WA over three properties the woman owned in WA, which have a collective value of about $2.5 million.
AFP Detective Superintendent Murray Taylor said Australians expected the AFP to maintain the integrity of the system of social supports.
"These types of investigations are resource intensive and time-consuming, but the AFP is committed to preventing fraud and protecting taxpayers' money," Det Supt Taylor said.
"This includes investigating and prosecuting people who seek to abuse the welfare system.
"We work closely with partner agencies to ensure resources are delivered to those who are entitled to receive them.
"Investigations are ongoing into the involvement of any other people allegedly linked to the business."
