Strengthening the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)

Overview

Under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (Modern Slavery Act), large entities based or operating in the Australian market with an annual consolidated revenue of at least A$100 million are required to submit annual modern slavery statements describing their actions to assess and address modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. Statements are publicly available online on the Modern Slavery Statements Register.

On 2 December 2024, the Australian Government released its response to the Report of the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth): The first three years (the review). The government’s response agrees, in full, part, or in principle, to 25 of the 30 recommendations from the review. 

We have now commenced consultations on relevant review recommendations:

• Consultation Paper [PDF 2.21MB]
• Consultation Paper [DOCX 1.91MB]

Why we are consulting

Many of the review’s recommendations are significant and complex, and require careful consideration in consultation with business and broader community stakeholders. This consultation paper outlines options to enhance the framework, simplify and improve reporting, and target non-compliance. These options for change draw on and respond to feedback received from the review. We are seeking feedback from stakeholders about the options outlined in the paper, including how they would operate in practice, and whether they would effectively enhance the Modern Slavery Act. 

Responses to this consultation paper will inform future government consideration of potential measures to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act.

Who we want to hear from

We are seeking feedback and input from all interested stakeholders and members of the public to inform our work to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act. We would particularly like to hear from:

• reporting entities under the Modern Slavery Act (including entities who voluntarily report)
• individuals with lived experience of modern slavery
• peak industry bodies
• legal organisations
• academics
• business and human rights experts
• civil society organisations
• advocacy groups
• unions.

How to share your views

We invite submissions on the options for change outlined in the consultation paper. Follow the ‘Have Your Say’ link at the bottom of this page to respond to the consultation questions via an online survey format. You do not have to address all the questions. We strongly encourage you to share your views through the online survey, which enables published responses to meet accessibility requirements. You can alternatively upload a written submission which addresses the consultation questions in the ‘Additional information’ section at the end of the survey.

If you are experiencing any difficulty providing a submission, email Slavery.Reform@ag.gov.au.

We will also be conducting targeted consultation workshops in-person and online to discuss feedback received during this public consultation process. If you are interested in participating, email us at Slavery.Reform@ag.gov.au by Monday, 1st of September 2025.

Privacy and information management

To support your participation in this consultation, we will collect some of your personal information. The privacy and security of your personal information is important to us and protected by law. The Collection Notice, available below, outlines how we will collect your personal information, how it will be used and who it may be disclosed to. By participating in the consultation, via the online survey or by providing a submission or feedback via email, you are indicating you have read and agree to the Collection Notice.

• Privacy Collection Notice and Consent Form [Word]
• Privacy Collection Notice and Consent Form [PDF]

Publishing submissions

You can submit your feedback under your name or anonymously. We intend to publish responses at the conclusion of the consultation period on our Consultation hub. There will be a consent question to confirm whether you agree to your response being made public. If you email us a written submission, please indicate whether you consent to have your submission made public (and whether this is under your name or anonymously).

If you would like part of your feedback to remain in confidence, please provide the confidential information separately and clearly indicate the information you would like to remain confidential. Please refrain from including personal information about other individuals in the body of your submission. Legal requirements, such as those imposed by the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), may affect the confidentiality of your submission.

Note that this consultation collects your personal information (unless you submit anonymously). This is so we can contact you if we need to clarify aspects of your response, to confirm your consent to publish information in your response, or to seek feedback.

Help and support

Help is available for any person experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery.

If you have immediate concerns for your safety, the safety of another person, or there is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

You can contact the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on 131 237 (131AFP) or go to the AFP website for help. The AFP can keep you safe, provide advice and refer you to other services that provide accommodation, financial support, counselling, and legal and immigration advice.

The Salvation Army and specialist partner organisations can provide free and confidential support to help you understand your rights and options, offer free legal advice about your experience of modern slavey, help with your immediate needs, and refer you to the Support for Trafficked People Program if eligible. Find out more about the Salvation Army’s Additional Referral Pathway or call 1800 000 277 for more information.

Anti-Slavery Australia provides free, confidential legal and migration services to people who have experienced, or are at risk of, modern slavery in Australia. If you have experienced modern slavery, or you are worried about someone in this situation, contact Anti-Slavery Australia for free and confidential legal advice and support. Call (02) 9514 8115 (9am – 5pm AEST, Monday to Friday), or email ASALegal@uts.edu.au.

If you are in, or at risk of, forced marriage, you can contact My Blue Sky, Australia’s national forced marriage service for support and free, confidential legal advice:

• Call (02) 9514 8115 (9 am to 5 pm AEST, Monday to Friday)
• Text +61 481 070 844
• Email help@mybluesky.org.au
• Visit the My Blue Sky website.

Free interpreter services are available to help any person communicate with service providers in their own language. Call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. All calls are free and confidential.