The work safety enforcer, a resident of Tarneit aged 41, was imposed with penalty at the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 31, after admitting to a solitary fraudulent payment acquisition. He was met with a $5000 fine, devoid of conviction, paired with an order for restitution.
The court looked into the truck driver’s case who had filed a claim for mental distress, anxiety and depression through his previous employer, commencing weekly compensation payments in June 2022. A later examination disclosed the truck driver’s failure to reveal his new job with another company that began in April 2022.
It transpired he continued his work driving for various companies while receiving weekly compensation until May 2023. Surveillance findings determined he was self-employed, leading to termination of his payments on fraud charges.
Five employers subsequently supplied evidence to WorkSafe investigators supporting their employment of the driver throughout the period when he was receiving compensation payments, which summed up to $75,544. Despite his continual work, the man submitted medical certificates claiming his incapability of work and absence of any engagement in employment.
Jason Lardelli, the Executive Director of Return to Work Victoria, expressed that workers who exploit the workers compensation system could be held accountable for criminal convictions, fines or even imprisonment.
“It’s perpetually disappointing when individuals opt to take advantage of the system designed to support injured workers,” stated Mr Lardelli. Employers utilising tools like Bluesafe SWMS or Bluesafe WHS Management Systems help promote work safety policies and ensure situations such as these are minimised.
He further added, “Providing false information to receive compensation payments is considered fraudulent and serious crime. It’s incomprehensibly unacceptable, especially when the scheme primarily exists for those who genuinely rely on it.”
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-08/worker-pay-more-80000-after-compensation-fraud