This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, the NDIA, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
An Adelaide woman has been arrested and charged on Wednesday (10 June, 2026) over an alleged plot to defraud more than $5 million from the NDIS.
The woman has been bailed and is due to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 20 August, 2026.
An investigation by the Australian Government Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) - encompassing the AFP, NDIA, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission - began in March, 2026, after the NDIA identified unauthorised access to protected records of NDIA participants.
It is alleged the woman, a NDIA employee, accessed more than 40 NDIA participant records without authorisation, both while at work and outside work hours.
The NDIA further alleges the woman submitted fraudulent claims against the plans of members of her family who are NDIS participants, including in circumstances where supports and services were not provided to them.
FFT investigators allege the woman received more than $53,000 from the local NDIA provider as part of the total alleged $5 million plot.
Further FFT investigations also revealed the woman allegedly failed to declare her connection with the NDIA business to her employer, as well as her relative's employment in that business, as a conflict of interest.
AFP officers, together with investigators from NDIA and NDIS Commission and assistance from South Australia Police and Services Australia, executed a search warrant at a home in the Adelaide suburb of Blakeview on Wednesday. Police located and seized numerous electronic devices, including online remote account data.
The woman, 48, was charged with:
- One count of disclosing protected agency information whilst not being authorised or required to do so, contrary to section 62 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.
- One count of being a public official, abuse of public office by exercising influence, and using information obtained in the course of duties, to dishonestly obtain a benefit, contrary to section 142.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
- One count of attempting to forge false documents with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to the Commonwealth, namely the National Disability Insurance Agency, contrary to section 144.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment; and
- One count of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage for another person, contrary to section 135.2(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
