New South Wales tradie allegedly faked having Covid via text to get off work

The man was arrested and charged with conveying false information suggesting that a person or property was in danger. Photo / Getty Images

A New South Wales tradie has been charged and faces up to five years behind bars after allegedly pretending to have Covid so he didn't have to go to work.

The 23-year-old Illawarra man was charged with fraud after sending a text message to his boss just after 4am on Monday stating he had tested positive and could not go to work, police will allege.

"His co-workers were stood down and self-isolated while awaiting their test results, and several locations near his place of employment required deep cleaning," NSW Police said in a statement.

Later that day the man allegedly sent another text to his employer claiming that he returned a negative result after having a second test.

But police allege the man had never tested positive in the first place.

Officers from the Wollongong Police District launched an investigation, and the man presented to Wollongong Police Station on Thursday.

He was arrested and charged with conveying false information suggesting that a person or property was in danger.

Speaking to 2GB's Ben Fordham Acting Superintendent Brad Ainsworth alleged the had man confessed after NSW Health "put the acid on him" saying records didn't match up.

"He just folded," he said.

"He's been charged with conveying false information that a personal property is in danger, which is under the crimes act and carries a five-year penalty."

Ainsworth said the man's boss was actually very understanding and "potentially forgiving".

"He agreed he had stuffed up and created a lot of issues and drama," he said.

"Not only himself, but for his workmates and for the company and up there at Newcastle."

The man from West Wollongong was granted bail and will front Wollongong Local Court next month.