Teacher convicted of serious NDIS fraud working in non-government school in Melbourne’s outer west

The teacher was part of a sophisticated group that ripped off vulnerable people with disabilities, she has now been approved to teach in Victoria until late September.

Ms Al Shakhshir was part of a sophisticated six-person group that ripped off nearly 70 vulnerable people with disabilities by pretending to provide them with services such as cleaning and transport. Picture: NSW Police

A Melbourne teacher convicted of serious NDIS fraud has been working in a Victorian school since January, the Herald Sun can reveal.

The woman, Sumaiah Al Shakhshir, is seeking extension of her provisional teacher’s registration by the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Between January and July this year, Ms Al Shakhshir worked at a non-government school in Melbourne’s outer west. Following Thursday’s VCAT hearing, she may continue teaching until September 30.

She was living in Sydney when she was convicted in 2019 as part of a $1.5 million fraud of the federal government disability scheme, but had previously taught in Victorian schools.

She was sentenced on 30 April 2021 to two years imprisonment, to be served in the community.

Ms Al Shakhshir was part of a sophisticated six-person group that ripped off nearly 70 vulnerable people with disabilities by pretending to provide them with services such as cleaning and transport.

Sumaiah Al Shakhshir turns her back on cameras at court in April 2021.

While the group spent lavishly on luxury items such as Porsche and Mercedes Benz cars, watches, jewellery and real estate, some of the people they defrauded were unable to buy basics like nappies for disabled children.

The scheme’s leaders were both given jail terms.

An analysis of the case by the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecution said the fraud perpetrated by Ms Al Shakhshir and the five others “impacted and distressed NDIS participants and their carers, particularly when they were left with insufficient funds to purchase essential personal items.

“Some were unable to make genuine claims because the offenders had drawn monies from their plans. A victim impact statement from one carer, who was unable to pay for her disabled son’s nappies, was read out in court during sentencing,” the summary said.

The court found that the offenders’ conduct was motivated by greed and placed an additional burden on all taxpayers. There was no regard by the offenders to the harm caused to the vulnerable people whom they purported to assist.

It comes as more than 3500 teachers with a criminal history are working in Victorian schools.

Offences include theft, aggravated assault, drug possession, trafficking, threat to kill orders and historical sexual offences such as indecent assault and obscene exposure in public.

The number also includes those charged, but not convicted, of offences such as possession of child pornography, incest and rape.

A final hearing will be held to determine whether or not the VIT’s decision to refuse an extension to Ms Shakhshir’s provisional registration can be overturned.