COVID-19 reporting extension for annual modern slavery statements

Extended lodgement deadline

The Australian Government has announced an extension of three months for entities due to lodge Modern Slavery Statements in 2020 under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). The extension aims to support entities to meet obligations (i.e. deadline for submission) and does not alter the reporting period of the modern slavery statement.  

COVID-19 impacts on Modern Slavery Statements

The Australian Border Force's Modern Slavery Business Engagement Unit has produced an information sheet on how COVID-19 impacts reporting on the Modern Slavery Act requirements.

The information sheet – Modern Slavery Act: Information for reporting entities about the impacts of coronavirus – outlines how to report under the Act, including how to address the impact of COVID-19 in a modern slavery statement. It also outlines key actions that entities can take to reduce the risk of vulnerable workers in their operations and supply chains becoming exposed to modern slavery as a result of COVID-19. 

The Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 came into force on 1 January 2019, and large businesses and other entities with annual consolidated revenue of at least A$100 million now have to prepare annual modern slavery statements.

These statements, including voluntary statements, will be published publicly on a Modern Slavery Statements Register. The Australian Border Force is developing the register, which is expected to be operational by May 2020.

We encourage reporting organisations to register via email slavery.consultations@abf.gov.au to be added to the Modern Slavery Business Engagement Unit's distribution list to receive updates on the register.

The Modern Slavery Business Engagement Unit remains available to assist reporting entities to understand their obligations under the Act, including how to report on COVID-19 impacts. Please contact slavery.consultations@abf.gov.au.