Modern Slavery still exists and affects people of any age, gender or race. Modern Slavery comes in many forms, from forced labour to debt bondage to child slavery and affects people and communities. The United Nations (UN) Global Compact Network in Australia estimates that 45.8 million are affected around the world with 66.4% of modern slaves being from the Asia-Pacific region, which includes Australia and New Zealand.

Governments are introducing legislation to specifically address slavery and trafficking in the modern era. The UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 was one of the first of its kind in Europe and globally. It applies to companies with annual turnover over £36 million, covering around 19,000 businesses.

Local requirements

Australia

Commonwealth

Since 1 January 2019, Australian entities with annual consolidated revenue of at least $100 million have been required to submit modern slavery reports under the Modern Slavery Act 2018. These reports outline risks in the entity’s global supply chain and operations, and actions taken to address them.

In May 2023, the report from the three-year statutory review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) was tabled in Parliament and included 30 recommendations to Government to strengthen the Act. The recommendations include:

• lowering the consolidated revenue threshold from $100 million to $50 million
• the introduction of a Commonwealth Anti-slavery Commissioner
• the introduction of civil penalties for non-compliance.

The government is currently considering submissions to its recent consultation on proposed changes to strengthen the Act.

Read CA ANZ’s submission here.

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW assented its Modern Slavery Bill in June 2018, shortly before the Commonwealth Act. In November 2021, the Modern Slavery Amendment Act 2021 (Amendment Act) repealed reporting obligations for commercial businesses which removed duplication with the Commonwealth Act. It also established an Anti-Slavery Commissioner From 1 January 2022 NSW government bodies, councils and state-owned corporations have been required to review supply chains and publish a modern slavery report.

New Zealand

In 2026, a Modern Slavery Bill was formally introduced to the New Zealand Parliament as a members’ bill. The Bill proposes to require public and private entities with consolidated revenue of $100 million or more to prepare and publish an annual modern slavery statement. The Bill has progressed to its first reading.