Truck driver fined and ordered to repay compensation after fraud

The 41-year-old man was sentenced at Werribee Magistrates' Court on Thursday 31 July after admitting a single charge of fraudulently obtaining payments. The court imposed the $5,000 fine without recording a conviction, alongside a restitution order.

The court heard the driver lodged an injury claim through his former employer for mental stress, anxiety and depression. His weekly compensation payments began in June 2022.

Investigators subsequently found he had started working for another company in April 2022 but had not disclosed that employment. The court heard he drove for several companies while continuing to receive weekly compensation.

The payments ended in May 2023 on fraud grounds after surveillance established that he was self-employed. Five employers later gave WorkSafe investigators evidence that they had hired him during the period in which he received compensation totalling $75,544.

While continuing to work, the driver supplied medical certificates declaring that he could not work and had not undertaken any employment.

Return to Work Victoria Executive Director Jason Lardelli said workers who exploited the compensation system could face criminal convictions, fines or imprisonment.

“It's always disappointing when people choose to abuse the system that is in place to help support injured workers,” Mr Lardelli said. “Giving false information to receive compensation payments is fraudulent and a serious crime. It’s simply unacceptable, particularly when the scheme is here for those who genuinely depend on it.”