What counts as NDIS fraud
Fraud is more than a billing mistake. It is when someone knowingly gets NDIS money they are not entitled to, or uses a participant's funding for something other than their supports. Common examples:
- Charging for supports that were never delivered
- Charging for more support than was given, such as billing 4 hours for a 2 hour shift
- Claiming from a plan without the participant's agreement
- Giving false or misleading information to the NDIA
- Pressuring a participant to sign up, or offering gifts or cash to switch providers
- A nominee or family member using plan funds for their own benefit
- Identity fraud, where someone uses a participant's details to make claims
Warning signs for participants
Check your plan balance regularly in the my NDIS portal or app, and read your plan manager's statements. Look out for:
- Claims for days or times you did not have a support
- Your funding running down faster than you expect
- An SMS from the NDIA asking you to confirm a claim you do not recognise
- A provider asking for your myGov or portal login, or to sign blank timesheets
- Offers of free gifts, cash or devices in return for using a provider
How to report suspected fraud
The NDIA says the best way to report suspected fraud is to call the NDIS Fraud Reporting Hotline on 1800 650 717. You can also find information and reporting options on the NDIS website. Give as much detail as you can: dates, names, invoice numbers and what you think happened. You do not need proof to report a concern.
If your concern is about the quality or safety of a service, rather than money, complain to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.
If your funding was misused
If fraud has drained your plan, tell the NDIA as soon as you notice. In very limited circumstances, the NDIA can pay for supports outside your plan when funding was misused because of fraud. It generally only considers essential supports you rely on every day, such as personal care, disability related health supports or behaviour support. It may also change your plan to protect you, for example by changing how your funding is managed.
Tougher penalties since 27 August 2026
The Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Act 2026 strengthened fraud offences from 27 August 2026:
- False or misleading information to the NDIA: up to 12 months in prison or 120 penalty units, and up to 5 years or 1,000 penalty units for a serious breach by a provider
- Obtaining NDIS funds by deception: up to 5 years for providers in serious cases, and up to 10 years or 2,000 penalty units where deception or impersonation is involved
- Intentionally destroying records to defraud the NDIS or disrupt an audit: up to 2 years or 240 penalty units
- Nominees who misuse their position: 120 penalty units
What else is changing
From 27 November 2026 providers must not offer or give kickbacks or inducements that are likely to encourage someone to start, keep or increase using their services. The NDIS Commission can also issue anti promotion orders to stop misleading or predatory marketing. Stronger whistleblower protections start on 1 July 2027 for people who report wrongdoing in the NDIS.
Providers must keep records about payment and receipt of NDIS funds for 7 years, and participants and plan managers for 3 years. The NDIA also works with other government agencies, including through the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, to detect and stop fraud.