Sydney Daycare Worker Hamish Tait Charged With 329 Abuse Offences

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:22:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Sydney childcare worker, Hamish Tait, charged with 329 offences involving 136 children across five centres over 16 years – the scandal shakes the city.

Hamish Tait, a 35‑year‑old childcare worker, is facing 329 criminal charges for sexual abuse of 136 children at five Sydney daycare centres over a 16‑year period. The case includes 162 counts of producing child‑abuse material and 81 counts of filming private acts without consent. Police have contacted 121 families and are still uncovering the identities of 22 victims. The case follows other Australian childcare abuse scandals, underscoring the need for stronger safeguards and community support.

Hamish Tait: 329 offences, 136 children, 5 daycare centres

A 35‑year‑old Sydney childcare worker, Hamish Tait, has been charged with 329 offences that include 162 counts of producing child‑abuse material and 81 counts of filming private acts without consent. The alleged abuse spanned a 16‑year period and involved 136 children across five early‑learning centres in the city’s north‑west region.

Police first linked Tait to illegal online activity in June last year and later seized child‑abuse material from a phone and file during a raid in Glossodia. The court now reveals his name following a lifted court order that previously kept the identity confidential while investigators sought victims and families.

"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," said AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham.

Police have reached out to 121 affected families and remain search for 22 other victims. Australian authorities have emphasized increased vigilance after a series of daycare‑abuse cases, including 307 offences by Ashley Paul Griffith and 40+ offences by Joshua Dale Brown.

For support and more details, visit the AFP’s Operation Moonbi website.