Sydney Daycare Worker Charged With 329 Child Abuse Offences

A Sydney daycare worker has been charged with 329 child abuse-related offences involving the alleged abuse of 136 children across five childcare centers over a 16-year period, Helen Livingstone reported for BBC News.

Australian Federal Police continue investigating one of Australia's largest alleged childcare abuse cases.  (Photo: Australian Federal Police)

Hamish Tait, 35, is accused of abusing more than 100 children while working at multiple childcare facilities.

He was first arrested in July 2025, but his identity remained under a court-ordered suppression order while investigators worked to identify victims and notify their families.

The charges include 162 counts of producing child abuse material and 81 counts of filming a person engaged in a private act without consent.

Police said they have contacted 121 affected families and are continuing efforts to identify 22 additional 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," Australian Federal Police Acting Commander Luke Needham said.

Tait remains in custody while the case proceeds through the courts.