It appears that fraud is actually a minor issue in the NDIS budget but has been used to manufacture consent for cutting it back drastically as the scheme has grown as a pace that was unforeseen when it was created. This may be seen as a planning failure, as also with the issue of unregulated unregistered provider charges.
“The problem with fraud or integrity, whether it’s ranging from sharp practice [unethical but not illegal activity] to people charging at the top of the pricing spectrum, in spite of really having no qualifications, you might say that that’s not criminal fraud, but it’s not a good use of taxpayer funds, and you would not see that happen in other social programs.”
In effect lumping the ability of unqualified providers to charge the top PAPL rate in with actual fraud. While this pricing practice is debatable, it’s been allowed in the name of choice and control by allowing unregistered providers and not regulating their qualification status.
NSW Central West Personal NDIS Provider. 