A truck driver who falsely claimed workers’ compensation has been ordered to repay more than $75,000 to Victorian authorities and fined $5000 without conviction.

The man pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining payments and was sentenced last month. 

A court heard he received weekly payouts from June 2022 after submitting an injury claim through a former employer for mental stress, anxiety and depression.

An investigation later revealed the man had started working for a new business in April that year.

He drove for several companies while receiving the payments, until in May 2023 surveillance showed he was self-employed and the cash was stopped. 

The man had submitted medical certificates declaring he could not work and had not done so.

Five employers told investigators they had engaged the driver during the period in which he received compensation payments totalling $75,544. 

“Giving false information to receive compensation payments is fraudulent and a serious crime,” Return to Work Victoria executive director Jason Lardelli said. “It’s simply unacceptable, particularly when the scheme is here for those who genuinely depend on it.”