The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have released new details as part of their ongoing investigation into former childcare worker Hamish Tait, urging parents, guardians and former childcare staff to assist investigators in identifying children who may have been affected.
Tait remains before the courts facing 329 charges relating to alleged child abuse offences between 2009 and 2025. The charges include allegations involving the production of child abuse material, using children in the production of child abuse material and related offences. These allegations have not been proven in court, and Tait is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
The latest appeal forms part of Operation Moonbi, the AFP's large-scale investigation into the matter. Investigators say they have identified numerous children during the investigation but continue working to identify others whose images were located on electronic devices seized during the inquiry.
Police revealed that two children previously shown in de-identified appeal material connected to a childcare centre at Rouse Hill have now been identified. However, detectives are still seeking assistance to identify another child believed to have attended a childcare centre in Putney in January 2018, as well as a young boy whose image is believed to have been taken sometime between March 2020 and July 2025.
To protect the privacy and safety of children, the AFP has not released identifiable photographs. Instead, investigators have published limited descriptions of clothing, dates and locations in the hope that parents or carers may recognise the children and contact police.
Authorities said the investigation has generated an overwhelming public response since details first became public. More than 300 reports have already been received, with detectives continuing to assess information and contact families where appropriate.
Investigators believe even seemingly minor information could assist in identifying children and supporting ongoing inquiries. The AFP has encouraged anyone who believes their child may have attended one of the childcare centres connected to the investigation to review information published through Operation Moonbi and contact police if they have relevant details.
Police also confirmed that several childcare centres originally listed during the investigation have since been removed after investigators determined Tait did not have unsupervised access to children at those locations. The list continues to be updated as inquiries progress.
The case has prompted renewed discussion across Australia about child safety in early childhood education, including employee screening, workplace monitoring and safeguarding procedures. Government agencies and childcare providers have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening child protection measures while emphasising that the vast majority of childcare professionals provide safe and high-quality care.
The AFP said victim identification remains one of its highest priorities. Detectives continue examining digital evidence and working closely with child protection specialists, forensic experts and state police agencies to identify every potential victim and ensure appropriate support services are available.
Police stressed that the investigation remains active and that further information may be released if it assists victim identification. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Australian Federal Police through Operation Moonbi or report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
Authorities say identifying every affected child is essential to ensuring families receive support and to advancing the ongoing criminal investigation.
