Truck driver to repay over $114,000 for compensation fraud

The truck driver began working as a painter in May 2021 and received compensation payments until they were terminated in March 2024. Image: WorkSafe Victoria

A truck driver has landed himself in hot water after being caught working as a painter for an extended period while receiving workers compensation payments.

He’ll now have to repay over $114,000 and complete 15-months of community service.

Based at Wheelers Hill, Victoria, the 56-year-old was sentenced in the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court last month after pleading guilty to a single charge of fraudulently obtaining payments.

He was convicted, placed on a Community Correction Order with a special condition to perform 175 hours of unpaid community work, and ordered to pay restitution of $114,262.

As reported by WorkSafe Victoria, the court heard that the truck driver submitted an injury claim for a lower back injury and began receiving weekly payments in September 2020.

The compensation was terminated on the grounds of fraud in March 2024, after surveillance revealed he had worked as a painter for two separate Melbourne businesses.

An investigation later found he began employment as a painter in May 2021.

Despite his employment, the man submitted medical certificates that declared he was unable to work and had not engaged in any employment while receiving workers compensation.

He also failed to report that he had returned to work during seven independent medical examinations and visits to three occupational rehabilitation providers.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Integrity, Risk and Resilience Alicia Colley said it was always disappointing to see the workers compensation system exploited.

“Making false declarations about the extent of an injury to receive compensation payments is a serious crime, particularly when the fraud is ongoing for several years,” Colley said.

“These actions will not be tolerated and we owe it to the injured workers who depend on the compensation scheme every day to ensure that it is not being abused for personal gain.”