ConnectID & Caresquare partner to combat NDIS fraud

ConnectID has announced a partnership with Caresquare to improve identity verification measures within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

With fraud costing the NDIS up to AUD $2 billion annually, this partnership aims to enhance security and efficiency by integrating ConnectID's secure, bank-backed identity verification with Caresquare's AI-powered tools for NDIS Plan Managers. This collaboration is intended to ensure that funding reaches legitimate participants and providers, thereby reducing the opportunities for fraudulent activities.

Andrew Black, Managing Director of ConnectID, stated, "The NDIS is a critical lifeline for Australians with disabilities, and its integrity must be protected."

"By integrating ConnectID with Caresquare, we're making it simple for plan managers to verify identities, reduce fraud, and ensure participants receive the support they deserve."

The NDIS is designed to provide essential support and funding to over 690,000 Australians with disabilities, allowing them access to services that foster independence and improve their quality of life. However, identity verification challenges have previously allowed some individuals to exploit the system, diverting crucial funds from those in genuine need.

By leveraging trusted institutions, such as banks, for identity verification, ConnectID offers a secure authentication process. This helps ensure that only authorised individuals can access NDIS funds, bolstering trust and accountability within the system.

Plan managers are a pivotal component of the NDIS, with over 65% of participants choosing them to manage their funding. Highlighting their importance, over AUD $6.8 billion in payments were facilitated by plan managers during the last quarter of 2024 alone.

This underscores the critical role they play in supporting participants and ensuring financial accountability.

Caresquare selected ConnectID for its robust security framework and real-time verification capabilities.

Josh Suntup, Founder of Caresquare, explained, "Plan managers are doing their best to support people who often rely on the NDIS for essential care, but they're constantly up against challenges like verifying identities and making sure providers are legitimate. By integrating ConnectID, we're helping take the guesswork out of the process. It means less paperwork, fewer errors, and greater confidence that support is going to the right people."

Suntup further commented on the future implications of digital identity within the NDIS, noting, "Digital identity will be at the heart of the future NDIS. It will make it easier for people to access the support they need, help providers stay compliant, and reduce the pressure on plan managers who remain a critical part of the scheme. Over time, solutions like ConnectID could even support an industry-wide digital wallet for secure and seamless identity verification."

This partnership highlights the increasing importance of integrating trusted, digital identity solutions to ensure secure and efficient access within government-funded programmes.

Through collaboration, both companies aim to modernise administrative workflows and help the NDIS function more effectively for all involved stakeholders.