Category: NSW News

NSW has recorded its highest housing completion numbers in five years, with 13,057 homes completed from July to September 2025. This is the highest quarter for the state since March 2021.

NSW is also continuing to lead the nation with more than 75,000 homes under construction as new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows further momentum building in the state’s housing pipeline.

According to the latest ABS data, housing completions in NSW are trending up by 37 per cent in the September quarter compared to the June quarter.

Dwelling commencements are also up nine per cent year one year, hitting 12,887 for the September quarter, which is the highest they’ve been since June 2023.

All of these figures show that the Minns Labor Government’s nation leading reforms and initiatives are starting to work together to build a better NSW.

In fact three quarters of the increase in housing across NSW was the result of SSD applications driven by Minns Government policy changes.

Our reforms include:

• Transport Oriented Development
• Low and Mid-rise Housing policy  
• Infill Affordable Housing Scheme
• The Housing Delivery Authority
• Pre-sale Finance Guarantee

There’s more work to do, but the state’s landmark planning reforms which passed the parliament last year are designed make it easier to build homes in NSW.

The Minns Labor Government is restoring housing choice and diversity and rebalancing housing growth towards existing infrastructure to fill a gap in new housing supply that had been left unaddressed for decades.

Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said:

“In the last term for the Liberals and Nationals Government housing construction collapsed, we’re turning this around.

“These figures are an encouraging sign that all the work the Minns Labor Government has been doing to turn the planning system around and unlock more homes right across NSW is showing results.

“These aren’t just numbers, they are real homes being delivered for the people of NSW. Each completion means a new key in a new door to help address the state’s housing challenges and give people the ability to choose the neighbourhoods they want to live in.

“We know there’s still more work to be done but more houses are being approved and more houses are being built and that’s welcome news.”

The Minns Labor Government’s world-leading Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program is helping fast track new homes with a redevelopment in the Inner West receiving the first guarantee under the $1 billion scheme.

More than 225 new apartments, including 59 affordable homes, will now start construction sooner as part of the $285 million Rozelle Village revamp of the derelict former Balmain Leagues Club site on Victoria Road, which received state significant development approval last year under the Infill Affordable Housing pathway.

The mixed-use precinct also includes retail spaces, community facilities, and a public plaza.

The Guarantee is supporting 32 affordable homes off the plan, giving developer PERIFA confidence to secure construction finance and deliver much-needed homes in the Inner West.

This arrangement gives the developer time to lock in a Community Housing Provider to purchase and manage the project’s affordable homes, with a guarantee the Government will buy the 32 units if the level of qualifying pre-sale requirements is not met prior to project completion expected in 2028.

Since the launch of the program in October, 31 Expressions of Interest have been received from developers across the state, with a third of these already invited to submit full applications.

In addition to the Rozelle Village project, over $100 million worth of pre-sale commitment requests have been received and are currently under assessment. If approved, this support will unlock the construction of over 350 new homes across metropolitan Sydney and regional NSW.

Under the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee, the Government may commit to buy, off the plan, up to 50 per cent of homes in approved developments, valued at up to $2 million each. Support can range from $5 million to $50 million per project, the Guarantee then allows developers to achieve commercial construction finance.

Up to $1 billion in pre-sales over the next five years will be supported through the revolving fund, making sure more projects can move from approval to construction.

The challenge of meeting pre-sale requirements is one of the most common issues cited by stakeholders in securing finance, and has been outlined as a key hurdle for industry in the NSW Productivity and Equality Commission’s Review of housing supply challenges and policy options for New South Wales. Only developers and projects that meet strict criteria for credibility, capability, and capacity to deliver are approved and invited to participate in the program.

• The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee is just one of the measures introduced by the Minns Labor Government to speed up the delivery of housing in NSW, including:
• Landmark reform to the State’s planning legislation
• The NSW Housing Pattern Book

The largest rezoning in the state’s historyFor more information, or to apply, visit the Planning website.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“This is exactly what the $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee was designed to do – move approved projects from paper to construction.

“By providing a targeted pre-sale guarantee, we’re giving the market the confidence it needs to secure finance and start construction, without the Government having to spend a dollar upfront.

“This is a smart use of the State’s balance sheet, stepping in where the market has stalled, but only on projects that are credible, approved and ready to build.”

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee uses the Government’s strong credit standing to help bring to life prime housing developments, including sites like this one in Rozelle that sat dormant for years. It allows more new homes to be delivered faster, creating jobs, and easing housing pressure for families across NSW.

“Rozelle Village is a great example of how our housing reforms and initiatives are working together to deliver great results.

“This project was approved under the Infill Affordable Housing Pathway to deliver 59 affordable homes and now, through the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee, we’re making sure those homes are built sooner.

“By removing planning and financial roadblocks, we’re giving developers and lenders certainty, boosting housing supply, and creating vibrant communities where people want to live which means more people in more new homes quicker.”

PERIFA Group Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said:

“Rozelle Village is set to become the Inner West’s most vibrant, mixed-use precinct catering to the local community and residents.

“The location provides excellent access to local employment and the critical Infrastructure that key workers rely on every day.  Strong demand for our development is already evident, with pre-sales for market homes exceeding expectations.

“As the first developer to be accepted into the NSW Government Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee, we are now able to accelerate construction of these much-needed homes, while working to secure the right Community Housing Provider, ensuring long-term social impact and community benefit.”

Exactly 12 years since the lockout laws were announced and began damaging Sydney’s night-time economy, the Minns Labor Government is removing the final major lockout conditions, including the 3:30am ‘last drinks’ rule.

Removing these restrictions aims to boost the nighttime economy right across the former lockout areas: Kings Cross, Oxford Street and the Sydney CBD.

As part of this final farewell to the laws the NSW Government is also repealing the mandated use of plastic cups and the requirement for RSA marshals after midnight for certain venues, and the blanket per person drink limits and the ban on the promotion of shots during late trade in the precincts.

After targeted consultation and a downward trend in alcohol related nighttime assaults, a review by Liquor & Gaming NSW found these conditions were no longer fit for purpose and safety could be maintained through a targeted, case-by-case approach and ensuring individual venues are adhering to existing RSA requirements, Plans of Management and licence conditions. This ensures good operators are not punished just because they’re operating in the former lockout area.

The review determined three measures should be retained – the violent incident registers, preserving crime scenes and a ban on Outlaw Motorcycle Gang colours or insignia.

Announced by Liberal Premier Barry O’Farrell on the 21^st of January 2014, the lockout laws were imposed on the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross in response to the violence problem at the time. This involved a package of measures applied to all licensed venues in the designated area, including the 1:30am lockout provision after which no new patrons could enter a venue.

This policy had the unintended consequence of damaging the city’s live music scene and Sydney’s reputation as a global city, with over half our music venues going out of business in the following decade.

In January 2020, just weeks before the pandemic arrived in Australia, the former government removed the 1:30am lockout provisions from the CBD and Oxford Street, followed by Kings Cross in 2021. Since that time, alcohol related night-time assaults have followed a downward trend in the former lockout areas.

Since coming to office in 2023, the Minns Labor Government has introduced three tranches of vibrancy reforms that have banned single-neighbour noise complaints, reformed the noise complaints system and removed unnecessary regulations that increased the cost and administrative burden for hospitality operators and decreased the enjoyment of patrons. Those regulations included rules that forced patrons to sit down outside venues, sign up for memberships at clubs if they were living within 5kms and even dictated which genres of music venues could program.

The $110 billion NSW night-time economy is undergoing a revival across a wide range of precincts, with eight new Special Entertainment Precinct going into trials in locations including Fairfield, Rozelle and Marrickville.

In total, there are 20 local councils working to establish Special Entertainment Precincts including Kiama, Tamworth, Manly, Cronulla, Burwood and Liverpool.

Live music is at the centre of the revival with more than 521 venues now taking up the government’s extended trading hours for programming music, which is almost four times the number of venues than when the government took office.

For more information –L&GNSW Sydney CBD and Kings Cross precincts – liquor licence conditions.

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“Twelve years to the day since they were announced, we are now declaring the lockout laws have been completely abolished. I’m delighted to say goodbye to this chapter of Sydney’s nightlife story.

“The lockouts had good intentions but a diabolical impact on the night-time economy and the reputation of our city. These were the laws that saw Madonna and Justin Bieber not allowed into their own afterparties, and the decimation of the club scene that spawned Rufus Du Sol and Flight Facilities.

“Once we had a closer look at all the regulations restricting the NSW night-time economy, we realised the lockouts were just the tip of the iceberg. Since coming to office we’ve been slashing the red tape that was pushing venues out of business and stopping grown adults having fun.

“We’re rebuilding the night-time economy neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood so that people right across NSW have exciting and diverse nightlife options closer to home.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“I’m pleased to call time on the lockout laws after a thorough and considered review by Liquor & Gaming NSW found no compelling reason to single out licensed venues in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross with outdated restrictions.

“Instead we’re being far smarter with safety via targeted, risk-based regulation of venues rather than blanket conditions to ensure those doing the right thing are not hammered by a blunt instrument.

“The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has confirmed downward trends in alcohol-related violence in the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross over the past five years following earlier changes to lockout laws. These included an extension of last drinks from 3am to 3.30am and the repeal of the 1.30am lockout.

“Existing measures under the Liquor Act, such as Responsible Service of Alcohol laws and the ability to still impose restrictions on high-risk venues, will help continue to ensure a safe, responsible and vibrant hospitality sector.”

Australian Hotels Association Director of Policy Chris Gatfield said:

“This is great news – Sydney couldn’t be considered a truly 24-hour city until these lockout restrictions were removed.

“This is another very welcome reform by the Minns Government – it comes on the back of many others which have already made a real impact on Sydney’s nightlife.”

Central Coast Labor MPs are supportive of moves to help ensure the Central Coast Mariners Football Club has a long-term future in the region.

Negotiations are underway to secure a long-term owner for the Mariners following recent events that have put the club’s viability at risk.

Member for Wyong David Harris, Member for The Entrance David Mehan and Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch support the Australian Professional League (APL) negotiating an outcome to secure a new owner as soon as possible to give certainty to players, staff, fans and the broader Central Coast community.

As a minimum, fans need a guarantee that the Mariners’ licence will remain on the Central Coast and that the club’s name and colours are protected, the local members said.

They ask that any new owners consider an ownership structure which could include elements of a fan-based partnership model to help address financial and governance challenges and continue to grow the club’s supporter base.

It is also imperative that any new ownership structure retains the Mariners Women’s team.

The Mariners breakthrough win of the 2024/25 A-League Women’s championship was testament of the popularity and growth of women’s football on the Coast, which needs to be harnessed and fostered.

It is also important the club’s youth academies are retained to continue to enable pathways for talented local youngsters into professional football and help continue the club’s growth.

The MPs acknowledge that fellow A League clubs the Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory have both been bought by new owners in recent years in moves that have strengthened their clubs.

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris said:

“The Central Coast Mariners is a crucial and well-loved part of the Coast’s sporting fabric and any decision made about its ownership should consider the best interests of the stakeholders, supporters and the community.

“I join my fellow Coast MPs in hoping new owners are secured as soon as possible to give everyone the certainty that is needed to secure the club’s future on the Coast.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan said:

“My community wants to see the Mariners remain a Central Coast team participating in both the women and men’s football leagues with greater involvement of its fans in the future of our club.”

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch said:

“I’m right there with all the other fans and Coasties getting behind our great Mariners teams.

“Let’s push forward and kick a successful and speedy negotiation into the back of the net to secure the future of our beloved club at their home here on the Coast.”

Stephen Dametto has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the NSW Crime Commission, to lead its important work of tackling serious and organised crime.

Mr Dametto has almost three decades of policing experience, holding senior positions in the Australian Federal Police, working in the UK Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command and providing operational leadership in numerous joint taskforces targeting terrorism and organised crime.

The incoming Commissioner is currently the Assistant Commissioner, Eastern Command with the Australian Federal Police. Eastern Command is the AFP’s largest regional command and Mr Dametto oversees almost one thousand staff.

Prior to his appointment as Assistant Commissioner, Mr Dametto was the AFP’s Commander Counter Terrorism Investigations East – overseeing AFP’s role within counter terrorism joint teams across Australia’s eastern states.

He has also practiced as a barrister in NSW, practicing in the areas of criminal law, proceeds of crime and inquests, and has practiced as a chartered accountant.

The key role of the NSW Crime Commission’s is to investigate serious crime and criminal activity in NSW.

It also administers the Criminal Assets Recovery Act 1990 – investigating and confiscating the ill-gotten proceeds of crime.

Mr Dametto’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process and is for a five-year term.

He will begin the role on 24 February 2026.

Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Paul Scully said:

“I would like to congratulate Mr Dametto on his appointment. His exceptional law and order expertise make him a strong choice to lead the Crime Commission into its next chapter.

“He brings decades of high-level experience across complex investigations and senior leadership skills which are invaluable to the ongoing work of the Commission in preventing and disrupting organised crime in our community.

“On behalf of the NSW Government, I want to thank outgoing Commissioner Michael Barnes for his significant contribution and service over the past five years.”

Incoming NSW Crime Commission Commissioner Stephen Dametto said:

“It’s a great honour to be appointed as the next Commissioner of the NSW Crime Commission.

“I look forward to working with the Commission’s dedicated investigators and experts to disrupt serious and organised crime.”

The Minns Labor Government is building a better New South Wales for women by empowering them to start and grow their businesses through programs funded under the Supporting Women in Business Grants 2025/26.

Two organisations – Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council and The Social Outcomes Lab – have in total received $500,000 in NSW government funding to support more than 90 women across New South Wales increase their skills and confidence to achieve their business goals.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the state’s economy, comprising 97 per cent of all NSW businesses and employing 1.7 million people.

The 2021 Census shows approximately 34 per cent of NSW small business owners are female. In comparison, 66 per cent of the state’s small business owners are male.

One of the key focus areas of the NSW Women’s Strategy is to empower women and boost their participation. Supporting women entrepreneurs and business owners start and run successful businesses helps drive economic growth and increase gender equality in business ownership through to leadership.

The 2025/26 grants program focuses on supporting women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council

Their program “Empowering Nyamis in Business and Culture, Strengthening Skills, Confidence and Economic Independence” will provide tailored support to women starting or growing their micro or small business. Supports include mentoring, business training, networking, and access to finance.

The program will be run in Nambucca Valley, Bellingen Shire, and Coffs Harbour.

The Social Outcomes Lab

The “Business incubator for migrant women foodpreneurs” program is focused on supporting migrant and refugee women, providing them with business training, culinary training and empowerment training to run a food business.

The program will be run in Cumberland, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Queanbeyan-Palerang.

For more information on the Supporting Women in Business Grants, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2025-26-supporting-women-business-grants

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“I’ve met many women across New South Wales who have shared fantastic ideas for a small business – they just need a bit of support to get them off the ground.

“These grants are one of the ways the government is partnering with local organisations, to provide women with that additional help, such as business training plus mentoring, so they feel confident and have the right guidance to grow their idea into a thriving business.

“Women-run businesses, especially micro-businesses, are on the rise, and the Minns Government is working hard to empower women across the state to fulfil their ambitions of running their own business.”

Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin said:

“These grants are about backing women who are creating opportunity not just for themselves, but for their families, their communities and their local economies.

“I’m especially pleased to see funding going to an Aboriginal-led organisation on the North Coast, where women are driving economic strength while preserving culture and community connection.

“Supporting a migrant women-led organisation through this program recognises the incredible contribution migrant women make to our small business sector, often overcoming significant barriers to build successful enterprises.

“When we invest in women-led small businesses, we invest in more resilient, inclusive and innovative communities.”

Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Michele Donovan said:

“The program will benefit Aboriginal women from regional New South Wales, in Coffs Harbour, Bellingen Valley and Nambucca Valley with tailored support, mentoring and business training.

“Utilising their strong cultural connections, stories and language to develop a sound tourism product, or cultural tourism experience, Aboriginal women will gain skills, confidence and resources needed to start or grow micro and small businesses, from ideation to a developed product or business which will showcase the Gumbaynggirr Cultural experience for tourists who visit our region.

“This holistic approach ensures Aboriginal Women receive comprehensive support from business ideation to securing finance and launching their business.”

The Social Outcomes Lab Managing Director Nazia Ahmed said:

“This accelerator program has the potential to transform lives while strengthening social cohesion across New South Wales. It will support culturally and linguistically diverse women to build sustainable food businesses through practical training, confidence-building, and access to professional networks and investment pathways.

“By sharing the stories of these food entrepreneurs, the program will foster greater understanding and connection across communities. In the longer term, this initiative also creates a pathway to develop a global social franchise model that improves livelihoods, builds hope, and supports women to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations.”

Free public transport will connect Western Sydney International Airport when it opens its doors later in the year.

The free bus service, to be in place to meet the first passenger flight that lands, will take passengers and airport workers to and from the new airport at Luddenham and St Marys train and bus interchange.

The interim service will provide the connection to the wider Sydney public transport network that will be delivered by the new Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport when it opens next year.

The free airport buses will run every 30 minutes between 4.30am to midnight Sunday to Thursday and 4.30am to 1am Friday and Saturday, with an expected journey time of about 30 minutes in normal traffic.

Transport for NSW will be able to adjust frequency depending on demand as activity at the airport increases after opening.

The free airport buses will complement the Minns Labor Government’s comprehensive bus plan for Western Sydney, which is set to provide new services every 30 minutes linking the airport to Penrith, Leppington, Liverpool, Campbelltown and Mount Druitt.

These new services will begin prior to the airport opening and run every 30 minutes from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week, connecting people to local education and health precincts, retail and leisure.

The new 23-kilometre Metro line, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Government, will have capacity to move up to 7,740 passengers every hour in each direction.

Interim buses will be phased out when metro services begin.

The six-stop line will connect Western Sydney International Airport to St Marys in just 15 minutes where passengers can join services on the T1 Western Line that run direct to stations including Blacktown, Parramatta, Strathfield and Central Station.

Once complete, the new line will feature a rail and bus interchange at St Marys, with stops at Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Airport Business Park, Western Sydney International Airport and Bradfield.

Track laying on the line is now 70 per cent complete and station construction reaching key milestones.   

The new metro will provide an infrastructure spine that will help the growing region develop, with 120,000 new jobs expected around Bradfield by the mid-2030s.

The toll-free M12 motorway that will link the airport to the Sydney motorway network is due to open in coming months before flights at the airport.

Minister for Transport John Graham said:   

“Australia’s newest international airport is going to be transformational for Western Sydney, and it is important to have connectivity to our public transport network from the moment the first bit of airline rubber hits the tarmac.

“Free interim buses will give passengers and airline operators the certainty that an onwards journey on public transport is in place alongside the new M12 motorway for road access, taxis and rideshare, as we complete the equally transformational metro line between the airport and St Marys.

“At Western Sydney International Airport, we are building a world-class metro that will allow this airport and this part of Western Sydney to develop rapidly over the coming years and decades.

“While the free, interim buses will phase out when the metro opens, the new bus services between the airport and Penrith, Oran Park, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Mount Druitt and Leppington will be a permanent upgrade for public transport.”

Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey said:  

“These services will offer an additional, essential transport connection for workers and passengers using Sydney’s new 24-hour international gateway, and complement the toll-free M12, ride share, taxis, tour buses and other private transfer services available, all of which will be supported by more than 6,000 car spaces at our precinct.  

“We will continue to work with Transport for NSW to deliver the best transport options for our passengers that keep pace with the airport’s anticipated growth in demand over the years ahead.   

“Critical transport investments can truly connect the west to the west and the west to the rest for the first time and deliver transformational economic opportunities that will benefit all of Sydney.”

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said:

“For families and workers in our community, these services mean a direct, reliable connection to Western Sydney International Airport and to key centres like Leppington, Liverpool and Campbelltown from day one, with rapid buses running every 30 minutes.

“As Leppington continues to grow, it’s critical that our public transport grows with it, and these new links are a strong step towards a more connected, accessible and opportunity-rich future for our community.”

Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:

“The Minns Labor Government is investing in Liverpool with the $302.7 million New Bus Services for Western Sydney project, linking our electorate directly to the new airport and creating better access to jobs, education, and travel opportunities.

“The people of Liverpool will be among the first in Western Sydney to benefit from the interim free bus service, connecting the new airport at Luddenham to St Marys from the very first passenger flight.”

Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren said:

“I welcome this vitally important public transport connection which will support workers and passengers to access the new Western Sydney International Airport.”

“This is a tangible step towards delivering the effective and efficient public transport connections that our region needs and deserves.”

Member for Camden Sally Quinnell said:

“I’m excited to welcome new connective services into our area. Regular, accessible transport will provide critical connection for the Camden community, linking residents with employment and travel opportunities at the new airport.

“I’m proud to be working with the Minns Labor Government to deliver these great upgrades for our community. While there’s more work to be done in terms of connecting Camden residents to transport, this is a great start.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said:

“I applaud this public transport link that will enable the community to reach the new Western Sydney International Airport from day one.

“This free interim bus service will complement the comprehensive bus plan for Western Sydney, linking Penrith residents to the airport.”

Member for Mount Druitt Edmond Attalla said:

“This is welcome news for Mount Druitt residents, the interim bus service will deliver free, reliable public transport to Western Sydney International Airport from day one, connecting locals to jobs and opportunities while paving the way for the metro to come.”

A Villawood man is expected to appear before Sydney Downing Centre Local Court today (20 January 2026) charged for his alleged role in defrauding $3.5 million from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

An investigation by the Australian Government Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) – encompassing members of the AFP, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission – began in February 2025 after the ACIC detected anomalies with the man’s finances.

It will be alleged enquiries undertaken by FFT investigators later found the man to be involved in laundering $3.5 million in cash defrauded from the NDIS.

The 31-year-old director of a NDIS provider is accused of withdrawing significant amounts of cash from various bank accounts and different banks repeatedly between 2022 and 2025 to aid himself and others in the laundering of suspected proceeds of crime.

It will be alleged the money was derived from fraudulent claims submitted to the NDIS, including in circumstances where supports and services were not provided to participants.

AFP officers, in concert with NDIA fraud investigators, executed a search warrant at a home in Villawood, NSW, in December 2025, where police located and seized $35,000 cash alleged to be the proceeds of crime, along with air guns and gel blasters.

The man was subsequently issued with a court attendance notice and is expected to appear before Downing Centre Local Court today charged with one count of dealing with money reasonably suspected of being proceeds of an indictable crime to the value of $1,000,000.00 or more, contrary to section 400.9 (1AB) of the Criminal Code (Cth).

The maximum penalty for this offence is four years’ imprisonment.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission issued a notice of intention to ban the individual and provider from the NDIS.

Both the NDIA and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s investigations are continuing, and further regulatory action is expected.

AFP Detective Inspector Aidan Milner said the AFP and its FFT partners were committed to stamping out criminal exploitation of Commonwealth payments designed to help those in genuine need.

“Fraud of Commonwealth programs is an area of key focus for the AFP and its partners, and we will be relentless in pursuing any people who seek to exploit our welfare system,” Det Insp Milner added.

“The AFP will not stop in its pursuit of these groups who chop and change companies in a cynical effort to hide their criminal behaviour from law enforcement.”

NDIA Chief Executive Graeme Head said the benefit of strong intelligence and collaboration between FFT partners was clear.

“We act without apology to protect the interests and wellbeing of participants in the NDIS,” Mr Head said.

“Most providers do the right thing, but for the small number who don’t, expect a knock on the door.”

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said the regulator is focused on protecting the integrity of the Scheme and the human rights of people with disability.

“Fraud against the NDIS will not be tolerated. By working together with our FFT partners, we are removing bad actors and ensuring those who abuse the Scheme are held accountable,” Commissioner Glanville said.

ACIC National Manager Chris Davey highlighted the critical role of the Fraud Fusion Taskforce in disrupting organised crime within the NDIS.

“The ACIC will continue to equip our Fraud Fusion Taskforce partners with unique, actionable and insightful intelligence to target and disrupt organised crime syndicates who prey on the most vulnerable within our communities.”

This arrest follows a joint crackdown by the Australian Government Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) and the Financial Crime and Money Laundering Working Group (FCML) which saw more than 250 staff from FFT and FCML agencies execute 33 search warrants as part of an AFP-coordinated period of action in November 2025.

Search warrants were executed in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland with more than 43 terabytes of data seized by forensic investigators across the disruption operations.

The FCML is a joint working group comprised of Commonwealth, State and Territory law enforcement, intelligence and regulatory partners focussed on tackling serious financial crime and money laundering.

The FFT is a multi-agency taskforce comprising 24 agencies, co-led by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and Services Australia, and also includes the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and the AFP, focusing on high-risk and serious criminal activity targeting government programs designed to help those most in need.

Anyone with information about suspected fraud involving the NDIS should contact the NDIS fraud reporting and scams helpline on 1800 650 717, email fraudreporting@ndis.gov.au, or fill out the online NDIS Fraud reporting form.

The Minns Labor Government today announced that this year’s Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony will be held at the iconic Sydney Opera House forecourt, a setting that reflects the significance of the unique celebration where we proudly welcome new Australians into our vibrant multicultural society.

The new location offers a powerful and symbolic backdrop as more than 350 new citizens officially join the Australian community. From 10.30am on Monday 26 January, a grand ceremony and celebration of our country will take place as hundreds of people from all backgrounds and ethnicities along with their loved ones will gather to officially call Australia home.

Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns and Minister for Multiculturalism, Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper will speak at the event along with special guests, which will culminate in an emotional rendition of Advance Australia Fair.

Polish-born professor Mark Spigelman, who arrived in Sydney as a refugee, will also deliver an address. A child survivor of the Holocaust, professor Spigelman, along with his family, would go on to make a large impact in science, medicine, law and the nation’s human rights landscape.

Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency, The Hon. Margaret Beazley will lead new citizens in their Pledge and Affirmation with proceedings hosted by Australia Day Council of NSW Board Member Joseph Carrozzi AM.

The ceremony will provide a meaningful moment to recognise those who are formally joining the Australian community, reinforcing a shared sense of belonging, civic responsibility and national identity.

The NSW Government Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony joins an extensive program of events across Sydney and the state for Australia Day 2026, the largest in the country.

More details are available at www.australiaday.com.au

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said:

“The iconic Sydney Opera House forecourt is a fitting location for such a significant celebration where we proudly welcome new Australians into our vibrant multicultural society.

“The Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony will be a vibrant and uplifting moment, honouring our newest citizens and the diverse, dynamic society they join.

“It’s an opportunity to honour what unites us, our shared values, our diversity and the spirit of mateship that strengthens our nation.”