The childcare worker accused of one of Australia’s worst alleged child sexual abuse cases has been publicly identified after a court lifted a suppression order, as police continue searching for 22 more potential victims.

On Monday, a Sydney court ruled that Hamish Tait, 35, could be named after rejecting his bid to keep his identity secret.

Tait is facing 329 charges relating to the alleged sexual abuse of more than 136 children over a 16-year period between 2009 and 2025 at multiple childcare centres across Sydney’s northwest.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said they have identified 136 alleged victims from 121 families, but investigators are still trying to identify a further 22 potential victims.

AFP Acting Commander Luke Needham described the alleged offending as an “abuse of trust” with lasting consequences.

“The abuse of trust we allege has occurred is devastating and will have lifelong ramifications for victims and their families,” Needham said.

“All I can say is we never gave up, and we never will.”

Police allege all of the victims were preschool or primary school-aged at the time of the alleged offences, although some may now be adults because the investigation spans more than a decade.

The AFP said Tait first came to their attention in June 2025 after authorities were alerted by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to child abuse material allegedly uploaded online.

Investigators seized more than two million files during a search of his electronic devices and allege a large volume of child abuse material was found.

Police also allege Tait shared child abuse material overseas on three occasions, although Needham said there was no evidence it had been uploaded to the dark web.

Most of the alleged offending is said to have occurred in NSW, with police alleging there was also some “limited offending” in another state.

Tait faces more than 160 charges relating to the alleged production of child abuse material and 46 charges of using a child under 14 to make child abuse material.

He is also charged with offences including allegedly sexually touching children under 10, filming people engaged in private acts without consent, filming private parts without consent, and using a carriage service to make child abuse material available.

The AFP has published a list of the 62 early childhood education facilities where Tait allegedly worked or visited, including several Fit Kidz learning centres, on its Operation Moonbi website.

The website also provides information about support services and asks anyone who may have relevant information to come forward.

“There are 22 victims who we are yet to positively identify and that’s why I would point the community to our website … We would ask the community to consider what they might be able to share with the AFP which we hope goes some way in assisting us in identifying those other 22 (alleged) victims,” Needham said.

“As a parent myself, I’m acutely aware of how distressing this news is.”

Tait’s identity had initially been suppressed after an application by the AFP to protect the investigation.

However, the agency later opposed extending the order, arguing naming him could help identify further alleged victims.

Tait’s lawyers argued publication of his identity and former workplaces could prejudice any future jury, but Judge Peter Feather dismissed that argument.

“I find to make a non-publication order would frustrate the investigative attempts of the AFP which is part of the proper administration of justice,” the judge told Parramatta Local Court.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said she was “deeply sickened and heartbroken” by the allegations.

“My thoughts are with all the victims and families who have been affected,” she said.

“Every child and young person has the right to be safe, and parents should be able to drop their children off at childcare without fear for their safety.

“Child sexual abuse is an abhorrent crime, and anyone who has committed such vile acts must face the full force of the law.”

Education Minister Jason Clare said more work was needed to improve safety across the childcare sector.

“This is not the end. It’s just the start. The terrible truth is this work will never end,” he said.

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