Daniette Paulissen, 34, admitted stealing a total of $306,170 from Contemporary Smiles at Corrimal between late 2011 and early 2016.

Paulissen was employed at the surgery when dentists Barry Phelan and Kurt Dean purchased the business in 2009. 

They retained Paulissen’s services, employing her in a financial management role that saw her responsible for the surgery’s weekly banking, liaising with accountants, paying staff their weekly wages and splitting surgery profits between the two owners.

As part of her job, Paulissen had signature and transfers rights for the company’s bank accounts, which she operated online.

In January last year, Dr Phelan’s accountant identified a number of irregular transactions. 

Following an investigation, it was revealed Paulissen had used her own passwords and log-in details to carry out almost 200 unauthorised transfers from two company bank accounts into her personal Illawarra Credit Union accounts. The transactions ranged from $135 up to $3,836 at any one time.

Paulissen was charged with stealing as a clerk, to which she pleaded guilty.

In court on Friday, defence lawyer Justine Hall said Paulissen had not led a lavish lifestyle on the stolen funds, but had simply used them to supplement her wage in paying day to day expenses.

“It’s not the case that she was taking European holidays, driving luxury cars or living in a mansion,” Ms Hall said.

“The extra money made it easier.”

Ms Hall confirmed Paulissen and her husband had refinanced the family home in order to repay the funds and risked losing it if Paulissen was sent to jail.

Magistrate Brett Thomas agreed to have Paulissen assessed for both an intensive corrections order and home detention, noting she had already repaid the money she’d taken and her subjective circumstances made the case exceptional.

However, he warned Paulissen may still be sent to jail, saying just because he ordered the assessments didn’t necessarily mean that would be the outcome.

The matter returns to court for finalisation in July.