Lead
Police have named the man at the center of one of the largest child abuse investigations in Australia’s history: Hamish Tait, a 35-year-old former Sydney childcare worker. He faces 329 offences allegedly committed against 136 victims over a 16-year period.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) began investigating after receiving a report in June last year about an online user uploading a file depicting child abuse. Following a search warrant in Glossodia, in Sydney’s northwest, Tait was arrested and charged in July 2025.
The court order protecting Tait’s identity was lifted on Monday, allowing authorities to reveal his name publicly. The FBI showed him as the man said the accused worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities in Sydney between 2009 and 2025, primarily in the city’s north-west. The alleged offences were committed at five facilities, including four childcare centres and his own private business.
AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham said the investigation, dubbed Operation Moonbi, has spanned 12 months and involved the analysis of 2.4 million electronic files, 12 search warrants and countless hours to uncover the scale of the alleged offending. Authorities have also been in contact with 121 families in Australia and international, whom they have positively identified as being depicted in child abuse material.
Coverage Comparison
ABC Australia reported that the investigation involved the review and analysis of 2.4 million electronic files conducted by the AFP. They also reported that police have contacted the parents of 121 families in Australia and Overseas, with Acting Commander Needham stating that 136 victims are involved and 22 have not yet been identified.
The BBC detailed Tait’s employment history, noting he worked at or attended 62 early childhood facilities in Sydney between 2009 and 2025, and that the alleged offending occurred at five facilities, including four childcare centres and his own private business. The BBC also highlighted that police have published a website for families to access information about his employment history and available support services.
The Guardian emphasized the scale of the investigation and the charges, reporting that the police have contacted over 120 families as they investigate the alleged offending. It also relayed the AFP's statement that the man had been charged with 329 offences allegedly committed over a 16-year period against 136 victims.
Key Claims
- Tait’s employment extent: He worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities in Sydney between 2009 and 2025, primarily in the north-west.
- Alleged offending locations: The allegations involve five facilities, including four childcare centres and his own private business.
- Investigation scope: The AFP analysis reviewed 2.4 million electronic files as part of an investigation called Operation Moonbi.
- Victim impact: Police believe the total victims count 136 and have contacted 120 families in Australia and overseas. 22 alleged victims are still to be identified.
- Charges breakdown: Tait faces 329 offences, including 162 counts of producing child abuse material, 24 counts of using a child under 14 for the production of child abuse material, 18 counts of intentionally sexually touching a child under 10, and 81 counts of filming a person engaged in a private act without consent.