More than 120 families have now been contacted by authorities after investigators identified alleged victims in one of Australia’s largest childcare abuse investigations.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said former Sydney childcare worker Hamish Tait, 35, had been charged with 329 offences allegedly committed over 16 years, including producing child abuse material, filming children without consent, sexually touching children under 10 and using children to produce child abuse material.
The case became public on Monday after a court lifted a non-publication order.
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The suppression order was originally sought to protect the integrity of the lengthy investigation, identify alleged victims and notify potentially affected families before the case became public.
Police allege Tait worked at or attended 62 early childhood education facilities between 2009 and 2025, predominantly across Sydney’s north-west.
Police allege Hamish Tait committed offences against children while working across multiple childcare centres over 16 years. Credit: 7NEWS
Investigators allege the offences were committed against children at four childcare centres and the man’s own private early education business.
The Glossodia man has been in custody since his arrest in July 2025 and his Working With Children accreditation was suspended at the time, the AFP said.
Investigation began after US tip-off
The AFP’s Operation Moonbi began in June 2025 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States alerted Australian authorities to an online user allegedly uploading child abuse material.
Police executed a search warrant at the man’s home in Sydney’s north-west on June 20, 2025, seizing electronic devices for forensic examination.
The AFP alleges investigators found child abuse material on those devices.
He was initially charged with eight online child abuse material offences in July 2025 before additional charges were laid in April, June and July 2026.
Investigators said the 12-month operation involved analysing 2.4 million electronic files and executing 12 search warrants.
More than 120 families contacted
AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham said investigators, forensic specialists and victim identification teams had spent 12 months reviewing 16 years of alleged offending.
“The AFP has been in contact with 121 families, based around Australia and internationally, who we have positively identified their child as being depicted in child abuse material,” Needham said.
He said investigators alleged the matter involved 136 victims.
“Any form of child sexual abuse is confronting and horrific, even more so when the alleged perpetrator is an individual trusted with the care of our youth,” he said.
“We urge any victim-survivors to seek support or talk to a trusted person if today’s news has caused distress,” Needham said.
The AFP says it has contacted 121 families whose children were identified during the investigation. Credit: 7NEWS
Parents and carers can access a website for information about Tait’s employment history, available support services and advice on what to do if they believe they may be affected.
The AFP says Tait worked at or attended the following early childhood education facilities between 2009 and 2025.
Police allege offending occurred at locations marked with an asterisk.
Alasan Cottage PreschoolAmata Anangu SchoolBeaumont Hills OOSH (Jigsaw OOSH or Beaumont Hills OOSH)Bright Minds CranebrookCarinya Neighbourhood Childrens Centre IncCocoon Early Learning CentreCooranbong Valley Community PreschoolDee Why KindergartenEndeavour Early Education – KariongExplore and Develop LeichhardtExplore and Develop RosevilleExplore and Develop WaitaraFit Kidz Learning Centre Box Hill*Fit Kidz Learning Centre Dural NorthFit Kidz Learning Centre Dural SouthFit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood NorthFit Kidz Learning Centre Glenwood SouthFit Kidz Learning Centre Putney*Fit Kidz Learning Centre Rouse Hill*Fit Kidz Learning Centre TurramurraFit Kidz Learning Centre VineyardFit Kidz Learning Centre Warrawee*Friendly Faces ChildcareGlenning Valley Child Care CentreGlenorie PreschoolGoodstart Early Learning Centre WoodcroftGorokan PreschoolGracelands Early Education CentreHeritage House Cherrybrook Early Education CentreJasmine PreschoolJigsaw OOSH DuralKiddiwinks Play, Laugh & Learn – WarriewoodKindy 4 KidsKradle 2 Krayons Long Day CentreLeura Child Care CentreLittle Peoples Early Learning Centre WollongongMaraylya Early Learning CentreMilestones Early Learning, Baulkham HillsMimosa KidsMindChamps Early Learning & Preschool Lane CoveMontessori Academy – AlexandriaMontessori Academy – EngadineMontessori Academy – GymeaMontessori Academy – PenrithMontessori Academy – Zetland – Victoria ParkMorisset and District Children’s CentreOakville PreschoolPacific Hills OOSH / BAASCPennant Hills Before & After School CarePeter Pan KindergartenQuakers Hill Kindergarten and Child Care CentreSilverdale Child Care CentreTiny Tykes Family Day CareWiggles & Giggles CranebrookWild Earthlings Glenorie*Wild Earthlings Cumberland State ForestWild Earthlings Sydney ParkWild Earthlings Wolli CreekWillunga Child Care CentreWindsor PreschoolWoodport Early Learning CentreYoung Academics Early Learning Centre Rouse Hill
Tait has not entered pleas and the matter remains before the courts.
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