Maroochydore, 29 August 2025
| Date | 29 August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Charges | Charge 1 – Section 533 WCRA – Fraud |
| Court | Acting Magistrate Boegheim – Maroochydore Magistrates Court |
| Plea | Guilty |
| Case | Man jailed for defrauding WorkCover |
| Facts | The worker suffered a neck and back injury at work and subsequently lodged a claim for compensation. The worker was under an obligation to disclose to their insurer if they had returned to work. While in receipt of compensation, the worker began setting up a real estate business and working as a real estate agent. The worker made a series of dishonest representations both to the insurer and to medical practitioners involved in his claim about his ability to work. At the time of sentence, the worker was serving a period of imprisonment for other dishonesty offences dealt with in the District Court. |
| Penalty | 2 years imprisonment, suspended after serving 115 days, for an operational period of 2 years. |
| Restitution | $117,387.22 |
| Costs | $16,681.47 |
| Common Law rights extinguished? | Yes |
| Conviction | Recorded |
| Consideration for Prevention | A worker should tell the insurer if they return to work during their claim. |