A Tarneit truck driver will have to pay more than $80,000 after he was caught working for five companies while receiving workers compensation payments.
The man, 41, was sentenced in the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on July 31 after pleading guilty to a single charge of fraudulently obtaining payments.
He was fined $5000, without conviction, in addition to the restitution order.
The court heard that the truck driver submitted an injury claim for mental stress through his former employer, and began receiving weekly compensation payments in June 2022.
An investigation later revealed that the truck driver had failed to disclose that he had commenced employment with another company in April 2022.
He also continued driving for multiple companies while receiving weekly compensation until May 2023, when surveillance determined he was self-employed and the payments were terminated.
Five employers provided evidence to WorkSafe that they had hired the man throughout the period he was receiving payments, totalling $75,544.
Despite his ongoing employment, the man submitted medical certificates that declared he was unable to work and had not engaged in any employment.
Return to Work Victoria executive director Jason Lardelli said it was disappointing to see a system designed to help people exploited.
“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,” Mr Lardelli said.
