Legislation news

Strengthening compliance in the fight against Modern Slavery

Updated May 21, 2025
3 min

The fight against modern slavery is accelerating. As awareness grows and pressure mounts, it’s clear that compliance is no longer optional—it’s essential. Forced labour, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation continue to affect millions worldwide, often hidden deep within the complex web of global supply chains.

In Australia, 2024 marked a turning point. With the appointment of the country’s first Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the release of major recommendations from the review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), the call for meaningful action has never been louder. One thing is clear: businesses must take responsibility for their entire supply chains—not just their direct operations.

At a glance:

Over 40 million people are currently estimated to be living in modern slavery across industries like agriculture, construction, domestic work, and textiles (ILO, 2017).
In Australia, the 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates that around 41,000 people are affected—up from 15,000 in 2018 (Walk Free, 2023).
As reforms gain traction, regulatory expectations are rising. The Australian Government has endorsed several key recommendations from the review of the Modern Slavery Act, including:
- Stronger reporting requirements
- Potential civil penalties for non-compliance
- A move toward mandatory human rights due diligence (Attorney-General’s Department)

What’s changing:

A stronger legal framework for compliance

The statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act, led by Professor John McMillan AO, identified several gaps in current business practices and compliance efforts:

Many company statements were found to be generic, lacking meaningful detail or concrete actions.
The review recommended introducing mandatory due diligence obligations and civil penalties for non-compliance.
The government committed to establishing an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to oversee enforcement and improve victim support.

Whether businesses are ready or not, FY25 will bring a more demanding compliance environment. The federal government is raising the bar—and organisations can no longer afford to treat the reporting as a “tick-the-box” exercise.

Here’s what you need to know:

Relevant Law: Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)

Enforced by: Australian Border Force (ABF)

Who must comply: Entities with consolidated revenue of $100 million+.

Industries at risk: Construction, agriculture, fashion, logistics and retail.

These changes aim to improve transparency, hold businesses accountable, and embed human rights at the core of corporate operations.

Learn more with:

Why this matters?

The FY25 reforms shift the focus from surface-level reporting to genuine accountability. It’s no longer about ticking boxes—it’s about showing leadership, deepening awareness, and actively contributing to a future free from exploitation.

Final thoughts & next steps

Stronger compliance requirements under the Modern Slavery Act are more than regulatory updates—they’re a call to action. Organisations must do more than meet the minimum standard; they must lead the way in safeguarding human rights.

Start today:

Review your current practices
Align with updated legal obligations
Take meaningful steps to support and protect vulnerable workers

Ending modern slavery starts with responsible business. Let’s make sure that every link in the supply chain upholds the dignity of those who power it.