Issued: 4 September 2024
Last modified: 4 September 2024
We are committed to working across government to promote the integrity of the tax profession, strengthen tax practitioner services and protect government funding allocated to Australians. That’s why we are a member of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce.
What is the Fraud Fusion Taskforce?
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce brings together multiple government agencies led by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and Services Australia, to deliver a whole-of-government capability to detect and respond to potential fraudulent and criminal activity against the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and deliver greater integrity and fairness across Commonwealth programs and payments.
Taskforce members share information and work together to uncover, investigate and prevent fraud, so NDIS participants can continue to get safe and good quality support.
Fraud Fusion Taskforce objectives
- Improve how government agencies work together to detect and prevent fraud and serious organised crime.
- Strengthen government payment systems, making it easy to do the right thing and harder to do the wrong thing.
Fraud Fusion Taskforce investigations
Recent Taskforce data showed that as of 30 June 2024:
- 72 active NDIS fraud cases with an estimated fraud value of $34.5 million.
- 16 NDIS prosecutions are currently in progress.
NDIA and the Fraud Fusion Taskforce have recently intensified investigations and Minister for the NDIS the Hon. Bill Shorten MP said ‘the focus on cracking down on fraud and rorts is having a dramatic result and will only continue as the NDIA and the Fraud Fusion Taskforce continue their intensified efforts’.
Minister Shorten went on to say, ‘I want to be really clear to everyone – whether you’re a registered or unregistered provider falsifying claims, or a dodgy health practitioner falsifying assessments, or a dodgy tax agent facilitating NDIS frauds, or a dodgy plan manager facilitating false claims or a sophisticated criminal group doing all of the above, you will be caught’.
What is our role in the Fraud Fusion Taskforce?
We work with other agencies to share and analyse information and use data to identify suspicious patterns that might indicate fraudulent behaviour. We also work closely with Taskforce partners to improve integrity and prevent fraud from occurring. This includes building greater fraud detection and prevention measures and taking action against any tax practitioner who may be involved in facilitating fraud.
How you can help
If you think someone is committing fraud, we strongly encourage you to report suspicious behaviour through the NDIA Fraud Reporting Form.
In addition, if you are aware of a tax practitioner participating in poor conduct or fraud, help to strengthen tax practitioner services, improve professional conduct, and build community confidence in the system by making a complaint using our online form.