The tech investment is part of a bid to restore public trust.
The federal government will invest $84 million over two years to bolster the NDIA’s fraud-detecting IT systems, including implementing systems able to identify fraud in real time.
Provided through the government’s Crack Down on Fraud program, the funding will go towards developing a new fraud case management system and interoperable IT systems to facilitate closer collaboration between the NDIA, providers, banks and other enforcement agencies.
Other improvements will include enhancing the NDIS mobile app and online interface, streamlining claims assessment and payment systems and increasing the cybersecurity and privacy of the NDIA’s identity proofing systems.
The investment is aimed at resolving a number of areas of vulnerability in NDIS payment systems identified by the Fraud Fusion Taskforce, established in November 2022 as an ongoing partnership between the AFP, NDIA and fifteen other government agencies to improve the detection and prevention of fraud in the NDIS.
According to Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the NDIS, targeting fraudulent and non-compliant activity across the NDIS would help restore trust in the scheme’s integrity among Australians.
“One of the key Independent NDIS review observations was concerns around integrity of the scheme. This is a critical area of reform because it’s our fellow Australians with a disability who suffer most from any fraud and exploitation in the NDIS,” Minister Shorten said.
“This investment is not only about catching criminals who may target Australians living with disability, but also enhancing the systems we have in place to detect and prevent fraud and non-compliant activity.
“The Crack Down on Fraud program represents significant further progress in safeguarding the scheme’s integrity, and will not only optimise NDIS resources, but will also ensure that honest participants who depend on the scheme can be better supported into the future.”
