Hamish Alexander Edward Tait, 35, has been publicly identified after a New South Wales court lifted a suppression order on 13 July 2026. He is a former Sydney childcare worker who now faces 329 criminal charges following a year-long Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation known as Operation Moonbi.
Who is the accused?
- Name: Hamish Alexander Edward Tait
- Age: 35
- Occupation: Former childcare worker and educator
- Residence: Glossodia, New South Wales
- Status: In custody since July 2025 awaiting court proceedings.
What charges does he face?
Police allege Tait committed offences between 2009 and 2025, including:
- 162 counts of producing child abuse material
- 81 counts of filming a person engaged in a private act without consent
- 24 counts of using a child under 14 to produce child abuse material
- Multiple counts of aggravated child abuse material offences
- Multiple counts of sexually touching children under the age of 10
- Numerous additional child sexual abuse offences
The allegations currently involve 136 identified child victims, while investigators are still attempting to identify 22 additional children.
Where did he work?
According to the AFP, Tait worked at or attended 62 childcare and early education facilities between 2009 and 2025.
Police allege abuse occurred at five locations, including:
- Four Fit Kidz Learning Centres in Sydney’s north-west
- Wild Earthlings, a childcare business owned by Tait that organised bushwalk and outdoor learning programs
Authorities have also confirmed he worked or attended centres across New South Wales and at least one facility in remote South Australia.
Has he worked elsewhere?
AFP records show Tait had links with numerous childcare providers over a 16-year period, including centres in:
- Sydney’s north-west
- Penrith region
- Cranebrook
- Rouse Hill
- Various childcare agencies
Recent reporting also identified links to:
- Bright Minds Cranebrook
- Montessori Academy Penrith
- Wiggles & Giggles Cranebrook
Police have published the complete list of facilities so families can determine whether their children may have had contact with him.
Did he have any previous criminal history?
Police have not disclosed any previous criminal convictions before his arrest in July 2025.
At present:
- No publicly known prior convictions have been reported.
- Authorities have not alleged that he had an earlier criminal record before Operation Moonbi began.
Investigators are continuing to examine his activities over the 16-year period.
How did the investigation begin?
The investigation did not begin because a child or family initially reported abuse.
Instead, Operation Moonbi was launched in June 2025 after the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) alerted Australian authorities about an online account allegedly uploading child abuse material.
What happened next?
Following the NCMEC referral:
- AFP identified the suspect.
- Search warrants were executed.
- Tait was arrested in July 2025.
- Investigators seized electronic devices containing approximately 2.4–2.5 million digital files.
- Extensive forensic analysis led police to identify children allegedly depicted in abuse material.
Over the following year, the number of charges steadily increased as investigators reviewed evidence and identified additional victims.
When was the first alleged offence?
Police allege the earliest offending dates back to 2009, when Tait was about 19 years old.
The alleged offending continued until 2025, spanning approximately 16 years.
How were victims identified?
The investigation relied heavily on digital forensic analysis rather than initial complaints.
According to AFP:
- Specialists reviewed millions of digital files.
- Images and videos were analysed to identify children.
- Police contacted 121 affected families in Australia and overseas.
- NSW Health also assisted in notifying families and providing support.
Investigators continue to seek information to identify the remaining alleged victims.
What are police saying?
AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham described the investigation as one of the most significant child abuse cases examined by federal authorities.
Police have said:
- 136 alleged victims have been identified.
- 22 additional children remain unidentified.
- Families whose children were positively identified have already been contacted.
- A dedicated Local Contact Point has been established to support parents and carers.
Authorities are urging anyone whose child attended a listed childcare centre and has concerns to contact investigators.
Why was his identity hidden for a year?
Following his arrest in July 2025, the AFP successfully sought a non-publication (suppression) order.
Police said the order was necessary to:
- protect the integrity of the investigation,
- identify victims,
- notify affected families before public disclosure, and
- prevent compromising ongoing inquiries.
The suppression order was lifted by the court on 13 July 2026, allowing media to identify Tait publicly
