The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) has commenced separate civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against two individuals – Synthia Restar and Lynette Peters – who are both alleged to have breached orders that banned them from providing supports and services to NDIS participants.
This is the first time the NDIS Commission has launched court action against an individual or provider for allegedly breaching a banning order.
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville said the legal action is a clear message that if individuals and providers breach banning orders by providing services to participants, they will face the consequences.
“These proceedings show that we will take strong action against any banned individual or provider that fails to comply,” Commissioner Glanville said.
“This is an example of the kind of decisive action the sector can expect as we increase our focus on areas of greatest risk to participants and the NDIS itself.”
The NDIS Commission permanently banned Restar, the former CEO of Frangipani Gentle Care Group Homes Pty Ltd, from the NDIS from August 2019. The decision followed multiple Commonwealth and New South Wales regulators and government bodies making adverse findings against Restar, including in relation to fake vocational education and training qualifications.
The NDIS Commission alleges that between February 2022 and early 2024, Restar provided support coordination services to two NDIS participants via a family member’s company.
Peters, of New South Wales, was banned by the NDIS Commission from January 2025 for two years after she was convicted of making fraudulent claims for NDIS supports and services that were never provided.
The NDIS Commission alleges Peters knowingly breached the banning order by providing support coordination services to two NDIS participants between January and March 2025, and attempted to avoid detection by faking service agreements and invoices.
“Bans are issued when we have grave concerns about the risk an individual or provider poses to the safety and wellbeing of NDIS participants or the integrity of the Scheme,” Commissioner Glanville said.
“Breaching a banning order is a very serious violation.”
The NDIS Commission commenced investigations into Restar and Peters for possible breaches of banning orders after receiving tipoffs.
Anyone can check the compliance record of NDIS providers and workers – including banning orders – via the NDIS Commission’s Compliance and enforcement actions search.
