Report fraud
If you suspect a person or organisation has committed fraud or is corrupt, report the behaviour so it can be investigated.
Types of fraud
Fraud is dishonestly getting a benefit or causing a loss, through deceit or other means.
Related to a claim for compensation
- knowingly submitting a false claim
- providing false information
- failing to declare information where it is legally required to do so
- failing to declare employment income while receiving compensation
- altering a medical certificate or any other documents relating to a claim
- submitting false travel expense claims
- misrepresenting a disability
- taking steps to continue to receive compensation and avoid returning to work.
Related to a service provider
- claiming for services that were not provided
- providing false invoices or other documents.
Related to a Comcare employee
- receiving a payment, other than payment from Comcare, for work performed as a Comcare employee or when at work
- seeking bribes or favours for decisions or actions taken as a Comcare worker.
Related to agencies and entities regulated by Comcare
- providing false or misleading information to Comcare
- seeking to inappropriately influence Comcare’s workers who make decisions relating to the entity.
Who to contact
When to contact Comcare
Contact Comcare if you suspect fraud by:
- a Comcare employee or service provider
- an Australian Public Service (APS) employee claiming workers’ compensation through Comcare
- a service provider for an employee receiving workers’ compensation through Comcare
- an entity regulated by Comcare.
When to contact your state or territory government
If you suspect fraud by an employee of a state or territory government, contact the relevant workers’ compensation authority.
| Organisation and email contact | Phone |
|---|---|
| WorkCover Queensland | 1300 362 128 |
| SafeWork NSW | 131 050 |
| State Insurance Regulatory Authority - SIRA (NSW) | 1300 137 131 |
| Insurance and Care NSW (icare) | 13 44 22 |
| Worksafe ACT | 13 22 81 |
| WorkSafe Victoria | 1800 136 089 |
| Worksafe Tasmania | 03 6166 4600 |
| SafeWork SA | 1300 365 255 |
| WorkSafe WA | 1300 307 877 |
| NT WorkSafe | 1800 250 713 |
Other contacts
If your information relates to:
- benefits provided through Centrelink, Medicare or for child support call the Services Australia fraud tip-off line on 131 524 or fill out an online form.
- a scam, visit SCAMwatch by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission or call 1300 795 995.
How to report fraud
Ways to report fraud to Comcare
- Fill out the Report Fraud online form
- Email fraud@comcare.gov.au
- Call us directly on (02) 6160 3985 or on 1300 366 979 between 8.30 am and 5 pm AEST Monday to Friday and ask to speak with a fraud investigator
- Write to Comcare, GPO Box 9905, Canberra ACT 2601.
Anonymous feedback
If you do not want to provide your name or be identified, we accept anonymous reports.
However, this means we can’t let you know about the actions we take or the outcome. We may also be unable to look into your concern if we need more information from you.
To submit your report anonymously, we recommend you use our Report Fraud online form.
What happens after you report fraud
When we receive a report of suspected fraud we:
- keep everything you tell us confidential
- acknowledge your submission, if you include your contact details
- may contact you for further information
- assess the information you provide
- decide if we should carry out an investigation or take other action.
If you choose to remain anonymous and do not provide enough detail, we may be unable to action your report.
When we conduct an investigation, we collect evidence to determine if we can prosecute or take other action.
An investigation may result in:
- administrative action affecting entitlements under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
- recovery of losses through legal action
- disciplinary action under the Public Service Act 1999
- referral to police
- referral to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to pursue civil or criminal prosecution in a court of law.
We are bound by legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988, which means we are unable to let you know about the actions or outcome resulting from the information you provided us.
