A former Sydney childcare worker accused of committing hundreds of child-abuse offences over more than a decade has been publicly identified after a court lifted an order suppressing his name.
Hamish Alexander Edward Tait, 35, is facing 329 charges connected to the alleged abuse of 136 children. The allegations span a 16-year period from 2009 to 2025 and involve children of preschool and primary-school age. None of the charges has been proven in court.
The Australian Federal Police said officers had contacted 121 families in Australia and overseas through an extensive victim-identification process. Investigators are still working to identify 22 additional children who may be connected to the alleged offending.
Because the investigation covers such a long period, police said some of the alleged victims may now be adults.
Tait’s identity had previously been protected by a non-publication order. The AFP initially sought the restriction so investigators could identify children, contact families and protect the integrity of the investigation.
The order was lifted on Monday, July 13, allowing authorities and news organisations to identify him publicly. Police said releasing his identity and employment history could assist families and help investigators locate remaining alleged victims.
Tait is charged with 162 counts of producing child abuse material and 81 counts of recording a person engaged in a private act without consent. He also faces 24 counts of using a child under the age of 14 to produce child abuse material, along with other alleged offences.
Police allege the offending occurred at five facilities, although Tait worked at or attended 62 early-childhood centres across Sydney’s north-west and also operated his own business. Authorities have published information about his employment history so parents and carers can determine whether their children may have had contact with him.
The investigation, known as Operation Moonbi, began after AFP detectives received information in June 2025 about online activity involving the alleged uploading of child abuse material.
Police later executed a search warrant at a property in Glossodia, in Sydney’s north-west, and seized 25 electronic devices. Investigators have since reviewed approximately 2.4 million electronic files as part of the operation.
Tait was arrested in July 2025 and has remained in custody. Additional charges were laid as investigators continued analysing the devices and identifying children allegedly depicted in the material.
He was charged with another 129 offences in April 2026, but his identity remained suppressed while police continued contacting families and conducting further inquiries.
AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham described the allegations as a devastating violation of the trust placed in people responsible for caring for children.
Police said the alleged conduct could have lifelong consequences for the children and families involved. Authorities are coordinating with health, education and child-protection agencies to provide information and support to affected families.
Investigators said they had not found evidence that Tait sexually assaulted children. They also said there was no evidence that the alleged material was uploaded to the dark web.
However, police allege that material was shared overseas on three occasions. Further inquiries are underway to determine who allegedly received it and whether other people may be connected to its distribution.
The AFP has established a dedicated online information service containing details about Tait’s employment history, guidance for parents and carers, and contact information for support and investigative agencies.
Authorities have asked families not to question children repeatedly or in a leading manner, as this could cause distress or interfere with formal interviews. Parents who recognise a workplace or believe their child may have had contact with the accused have been encouraged to use the official reporting and support channels.
Police stressed that working-with-children checks cannot provide complete protection on their own. Childcare organisations must also maintain strong supervision, reporting systems and child-safe practices to identify concerning behaviour and prevent opportunities for abuse.
The investigation remains active as specialists continue reviewing evidence and trying to identify the remaining potential victims. Tait remains before the courts and is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty.
