Modern Slavery Act Review

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Media Release

Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Senator The Hon Penny Wong

Minister for Finance
Minister for Women
Minister for the Public Service
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher
Acting Attorney-General

Joint media release

Today the landmark review of Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 was tabled in Parliament. This review, led by Professor John McMillan AO, is a thorough analysis of the operation of the Act in its first three years. 

It also makes 30 recommendations to strengthen the Act, to ensure it is meaningfully tackling the scourge of modern slavery, both at home and abroad.

Modern slavery, including human trafficking, forced labour, and forced marriage are reprehensible crimes that have no place in our society.

The Government will now consider Professor McMillan’s review. We will consult across government and with stakeholders in formulating our response to the recommendations.

Many of the review’s recommendations are in line with key election commitments from the Albanese Government’s Tackling Modern Slavery package.

Recommendations include:

  • introducing penalties for non-compliance with statutory reporting requirements
  • lowering the reporting threshold from $100M to $50M
  • requiring entities to report on modern slavery incidents or risks
  • amending the Act to require entities have a due diligence system in place
  • strengthening the administration of the Act through proposed legislative amendments and expanded administrative guidance; and
  • proposing functions for the federal Anti-Slavery Commissioner in relation to the Act.

The review was informed by an extensive public consultation process involving over 280 government and non-government organisations, including from business, civil society and academia. 136 written submissions were provided to the review from a wide range of domestic and international stakeholders.

The Government would like to thank Professor John McMillan AO for his leadership of the review as well as all stakeholders who participated in the review process.

You can read the Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018.

Additional support

Help is available for any person experiencing, or at risk of, human trafficking or other forms of modern slavery.

The Australian Federal Police can keep you safe, provide advice and refer you to support services. Call 131 237 (131 AFP). If you have immediate concerns for your safety or the safety of someone else, call Triple 0 (000).

If you suspect that another person is experiencing, or at risk of, human trafficking or modern slavery, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP’s confidential online form.

If you are in, or at risk of, forced marriage, visit www.mybluesky.org.au for support and free, confidential legal advice.