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Stronger Investigations, Stronger Deterrents: What the NDIS Fraud Fusion Taskforce reveals about prevention beyond enforcement
The Comtrac Team
Jun 16, 2025
5
Min Read
In recent years, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been increasingly targeted by large-scale and organised fraud. The coordinated work of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the other Fraud Fusion taskforce (FFT) agency members is now highlighting a clear connection between more effective investigations, stronger prosecution outcomes and critically, the role these outcomes play in deterring future fraud.
For executive leaders across government, regulatory and oversight bodies, the work of the Taskforce highlights how well-coordinated investigations can do more than enforce the law—they can shape behaviour, close systemic gaps, and contribute to a more robust and accountable operating environment.
The power of coordination and capability
The Fraud Fusion Taskforce was established in November 2022 and involves a group of experts working together from multiple government organisations. The taskforce works to reduce fraud against the Australian Government’s payment programs.
These agencies include:
the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
Services Australia
Australian Federal Police
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
As at late 2024 the taskforce has:
Launched over 500 investigations
Referred more than 50 individuals for prosecution
Prevented upwards of $60 million in fraudulent payments
Targeted over $1 billion in suspicious claims
Imposed over 165 compliance actions, including 88 banning orders
These are not just statistics, they’re signals to the market that fraud has real consequences.
High-profile cases that send a message
Cases like those involving Cocoon SDA Care or individuals who submitted hundreds of false claims demonstrate that when investigations are streamlined, integrated, and outcomes-driven, prosecution becomes swifter and more effective. These public outcomes don’t just resolve individual matters, they send a clear message to bad actors: you will be caught, and it will cost you.
The prevention multiplier effect
The work of the FFT points to an important consideration: enforcement alone isn’t just about resolving issues; it also plays a role in shaping behaviour. When there’s visibility around investigations and clear consequences, it can influence how individuals engage with the system.
For executives managing compliance, fraud prevention, or regulatory operations, this is a critical takeaway. Investment in modern investigation frameworks and technologies, like the Comtrac electronic investigation management systems, isn’t just about efficiency - it’s about creating an environment where fraud is riskier, harder, and less attractive.
Why more streamlined investigations matter
Streamlined investigations lead to:
Faster outcomes, meaning bad actors are removed from the system quickly
Better case visibility, enabling stronger legal action
Data-led insights, which help identify fraud patterns early
Improved collaboration, especially in multi-agency environments
All of this builds a stronger deterrent effect. When the process is slow or fragmented, bad actors exploit the gaps. When it’s fast, coordinated and transparent - they think twice.
The way forward
If we want to protect public resources, maintain trust in major schemes like the NDIS, and ultimately deliver better outcomes to those who need them most, we must continue to invest in investigation capabilities. Not just to catch fraud, but to prevent it. The FFT’s results prove that when we treat investigations as a key part of a prevention strategy, rather than just a reactive tool, we fundamentally change the equation.
