Monday, 4 May 2026
Dr Jane Thomson Committee Secretary National Disability Insurance Scheme
By email: NDIS.joint@aph.gov.au
Dear Committee Secretary,
I thank you for the invitation to provide a submission to the Inquiry into the Integrity of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) supports the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) in its role as the lead agency responsible for oversight of NDIS non-compliance. Where appropriate, matters may be escalated through the Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) for further action, including criminal investigation support, in which the AFP plays a key role, including assistance in the execution of search warrants, forensic analysis of evidence, the provision of investigative expertise and criminal asset confiscation.
Taxpayers fund this scheme to support people who need help. The AFP works with partner agencies to protect public money and maintain the integrity of the NDIS. Fraud is not a victimless crime.
Recent matters involving the FFT and NDIS include:
- Three people in NSW sentenced to a combined 12 years and 10 months imprisonment for a multimillion-dollar fraud;
- A Sydney man charged with an alleged $3.5 million NDIS fraud; and
- A Darwin man charged with abuse of public office and $5 million in suspicious NDIS claims identified.
The AFP provides tiered investigative support to FFT partner agencies to combat fraud against Australian Government payments and programmes. This support is delivered under a bespoke Service Level Agreement and is aligned with the AFP Operations Prioritisation Model. Investigative assistance is delivered through the following three service tiers:
- Tier 1: AFP-led investigations with support from FFT partner agencies.
- Tier 2: Joint investigations conducted by the AFP FFT and partner FFT agencies.
- Tier 3: Matters referred by FFT agencies to AFP Regional Commands through the AFP FFT for consideration under established Requests for AFP Investigative Services processes.
The AFP FFT is currently managing two (2) Tier 1, 31 Tier 2 and 22 Tier 3 endorsed matters relating to alleged NDIA fraud. These statistics do not include support provided to endorsed tiered matters conducted with other FFT member agencies.
The depth and breadth of AFP support to FFT agencies extends well beyond the accepted matters under the tiered model and includes the provision of ongoing advice to agencies for non-tiered matters, management of complex intelligence projects and the delivery of training.
Consistent with the AFP’s support role to the NDIA through the FFT, the AFP does not have specific input into the Terms of Reference for the inquiry at this time.
The AFP remains committed to supporting the integrity of the NDIS and continues to deliver training and capability uplift across FFT partner agencies. This includes delivery of the Commonwealth Agencies Investigations Course, in partnership with AFP Learning and Development and the Commonwealth School of Investigations, as well as enhancing knowledge and understanding of legislative powers to identify and seize proceeds of crime.
Yours sincerely,
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Kirsty Schofield Performing the duties of Deputy Commissioner National Security Investigations Australian Federal Police