Our Reference: Response to FOI 21/22-0054
FOI 21/22-0054 – Information related to NDIA staff fraud from 1 January 2019 to
15 July 2021
Scope
1. The number of reports of fraud against NDIA staff (APS and Contractors)
between 1 Jan 2019 and 15 Jul 21
2. The number of the above reports investigated.
3. The number of those investigations that found fraud.
4. The reasons for the above investigations found to be fraudulent.
5. The amount of money found to be fraudulently used by NDIA Staff during the
same time period.
6. The number of random fraud audits of NDIA staff conducted during the
above time period.
7. The number of those audits that revealed fraud
8. The amount of money for that fraud
9. The reasons that the money was found to be used fraudulently.
10. The numbers of dismissals and criminal prosecutions of NDIA staff during
that time
11. The numbers of alleged fraud actions in that time period that were appealed
12. The results of the appeals.”
Response
1. The number of reports of fraud against NDIA staff (APS and Contractors) between
1 Jan 2019 and 15 Jul 21.
The NDIA has a dedicated telephone line and email address in place (Fraud Reporting &
Scams Helpline) where suspected non-compliance or fraud against the NDIS can be
reported.
Between 1 January 2019 and 15 July 2021 the NDIA recorded 252 tip-offs where a staff
member was the primary subject of the report. Tip-offs received do not necessarily
constitute instances of fraud.
2. The number of the above reports investigated.
All reports received through the Fraud Reporting & Scams Helpline are taken seriously.
All allegations received are assessed to determine the most appropriate course of action.
To support fraud prevention the NDIA has developed the Compliance and Enforcement
Framework (the Framework). The Framework is intended to provide an overview of
compliance and enforcement options, as well as provide information on when the use of
each option is appropriate.
These options may include one or more of the following compliance activities: targeted
engagement (the Agency’s first response when addressing inadvertent non-compliance);
a desktop compliance review (used to address opportunistic non-compliance); or a fraud
investigation (to address deliberate fraud with a criminal intent).
During the time period indicated above, two fraud reports involving allegations against
members of staff were the subject of criminal investigations, other matters may proceed
to investigation at some future point.
Page 1 of 2
Our Reference: Response to FOI 21/22-0054
3. The number of those investigations that found fraud.
Nil. The two criminal investigations commenced during the time period did not
substantiate fraud to the required criminal threshold and both matters were subsequently
referred for other treatment.
4. The reasons for the above investigations found to be fraudulent.
This is not applicable. See response to Question 3.
5. The amount of money found to be fraudulently used by NDIA Staff during the same
time period.
This is not applicable. See response to Question 3.
6. The number of random fraud audits of NDIA staff conducted during the above time
period.
In line with the Agency’s Compliance and Enforcement Framework, (see response to
question 2) the Agency utilises a number of strategies to prevent, detect, and respond to
fraud and corruption. One strategy employed is conducting random fraud audits.
In the time period indicated, five random fraud audits of NDIA staff were conducted.
7. The number of those audits that revealed fraud
No fraud or corruption was identified against the NDIS Scheme. .
8. The amount of money for that fraud
Not applicable. See response to question 7.
9. The reasons that the money was found to be used fraudulently.
Not applicable. See response to question 7.
10. The numbers of dismissals and criminal prosecutions of NDIA staff during that
time
No criminal prosecutions of NDIA staff in relation to fraud were launched in the given
time period.
11. The numbers of alleged fraud actions in that time period that were appealed
Nil.
12. The results of the appeals
This is not applicable. See response to question 11.
Page 2 of 2
