Melbourne Mint worker pocketed over $1m to fund luxury lifestyle

Wayne Jackson was trusted by the Melbourne Reserve Bank to destroy damaged money, but he instead pocketed banknotes as part of a long-term heist and used it to fund a life of luxury.

Part of the 57-year-old's job was to oversee the incineration of damaged bank notes at a furnace at the bank's Note Printing Australia plant at Craigieburn, in Melbourne's north.

But Mr Jackson couldn't resist stockpiling some of the cash for himself - with the total amount believed to be more than $1 million.

He exploited loopholes in the system, such as an out-of-order CCTV camera above the money furnace.

But it all came undone for Mr Jackson when a colleague found packages of money hidden in drawers in his disused office.

After the AFP launched an investigation he was charged - but vanished in 2013.

Among the items recovered by authorities are a brand new $126,000 Mercedes Benz, a silver Rolex watch, expensive diamonds and gold bullion.

Mr Jackson used the money to fund holidays at luxury Australian hotels, and trips to France and Monaco.

The former mint worker finally handed himself into police in August.

During an appearance in the Victorian County Court in September, Mr Jackson pleaded guilty.

A plea hearing is scheduled for February, 2016.