A 48-year-old man from western Victoria has been arrested over allegations that he defrauded the National Disability Insurance Scheme of about $700,000. The case matters because it concerns alleged misuse of funding intended to support Australians with disabilities, and is part of efforts by police and the scheme’s agency to detect fraud.

Victoria Police and the National Disability Insurance Agency began investigating claims that an NDIS participant defrauded his plan between 28 June 2024 and 30 June 2026. Police allege he set up two businesses, submitted false invoices for services he said he had received, transferred funds into his own bank accounts, and dealt with suspected proceeds of crime; his Horsham-area home was searched on Wednesday and he is due to be interviewed.