Modern Slavery Act
About the Modern Slavery Act
The Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 entered into force on 1 January 2019. The Act established a national modern slavery reporting requirement.
This reporting requirement applies to large businesses and other entities in the Australian market with annual consolidated revenue of at least $100 million.
The reporting requirement supports the Australian business community to identify and address their modern slavery risks and maintain responsible and transparent supply chains.
Entities that must comply with the reporting requirement, including the Australian Government, have to prepare annual Modern Slavery Statements.
These statements must set out the reporting entity’s actions to assess and address modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. The Australian Government publishes these statements on the Modern Slavery Statements Register.
Modern Slavery Statements Register
Under the Act, the Australian Government must maintain an online, publicly accessible register of modern slavery statements submitted by reporting entities.
Visit the Modern Slavery Statements Register for a range of resources and guidance materials to support entities to comply with their reporting obligations under the Act.
Commonwealth Modern Slavery Statement
Under the Act, the Australian Government must submit an annual Commonwealth Modern Slavery Statement (Commonwealth Statement) detailing its actions to identify, assess and address modern slavery risks in its operations and supply chains.
The Commonwealth Statement is submitted on behalf of all non-corporate Commonwealth entities and is published annually. Each Commonwealth Statement continues to build on the targeted, risk-based approach to identifying and assessing modern slavery risks outlined in previous Commonwealth Statements.
The Commonwealth Statements are available on the Modern Slavery Statements Register.
Statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018
On 25 May 2023, the Australian Government tabled a report on the statutory review of Australia's Modern Slavery Act. It reviewed the first 3 years of the Act's operation, in accordance with section 24 of the Modern Slavery Act. Professor John McMillan AO led the review, with support from our department.
The review made 30 recommendations for government consideration to strengthen the Act. Some of the key recommendations are to:
- introduce penalties for non-compliance with statutory reporting requirements
- lower the reporting threshold from $100 million to $50 million
- require entities to report on modern slavery incidents or risks
- amend the Modern Slavery Act to require entities have a due diligence system in place
- strengthen the administration of the Act through proposed legislative amendments and expanded administrative guidance
- propose functions for the federal Anti-Slavery Commissioner in relation to the Modern Slavery Act.
The review was informed by an extensive public consultation process. This involved 38 targeted consultations with 285 government and non-government organisations, including from business, civil society and academia.
Read the Statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 report
Australian Government response to the review report
On 2 December 2024, the government released its response to the report of the statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act. The government response agrees (in full, in part, or in principle) to 25 of the 30 recommendations and notes 5 recommendations.
Read the Australian Government response to the review report of the Modern Slavery Act 2018
Read the consultation paper on Strengthening the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
Annual report to Parliament on the implementation of the Modern Slavery Act
Under Section 23A of the Modern Slavery Act, the Australian Government must report annually on its actions to implement the legislation.
Annual reports are tabled in the Australian Parliament. The reports highlight the government's continued efforts to engage with business and civil society to implement the Modern Slavery Act and improve compliance with legislative requirements. This includes details on:
- the Modern Slavery Statements Register
- compliance with the Modern Slavery Act’s mandatory reporting criteria
- raising awareness and promoting good practice responses to modern slavery
To read the annual reports, visit the Modern Slavery Register Resources page and select 'Annual Report to Parliament'.
Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group
The inaugural Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group was established in May 2020, for a specified term, to provide strategic advice to the Australian Government on the implementation of the Modern Slavery Act. After the successful implementation and review of the Act, and following a public expression of interest process, the government appointed a new Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group in November 2023 to provide expert advice on the operation of the Modern Slavery Act.