Former childcare worker Hamish Tait faces 115 new charges in Sydney, taking the total number of alleged offences against children to 444. The 35-year-old is accused of offences involving children known to him and children linked to early childhood education facilities in Sydney’s north-west.
The Australian Federal Police said the number of victims identified in Operation Moonbi had not increased following the latest charges.
The new allegations include 105 counts of producing child abuse material, one count of carrying out a sexual act with a child under 10, five counts of filming a person engaged in a private act in circumstances of aggravation and four counts of possessing child abuse material.
Police allege Tait committed offences while working at or attending childcare facilities over a 16-year period between 2009 and 2025. The AFP has previously alleged he worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities during that time, while the current investigation concerns children connected with five facilities in Sydney’s north-west.
Operation Moonbi investigation
The investigation began in June 2025 after the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children alerted Australian authorities to an online user allegedly uploading child abuse material.
Electronic devices were later seized from Tait’s home in Sydney’s north-west. Investigators have said the 12-month operation involved examining 2.4 million electronic files and executing 12 search warrants.
The AFP previously said 121 families had been contacted after their children were identified in child abuse material. Police have alleged the matter involves 136 victims.
Tait has remained in custody since his arrest and charging by the AFP in July 2025. He has not entered pleas to the charges.
The case is due to return to Parramatta Local Court on October 8, 2026.
