Modern slavery is a global crime, with almost every country in the world being affected by these exploitative practices. The Global Estimates of Modern Slavery (2022) indicate that there were 49.6 million people in situations of modern slavery on any given day in 2021. See the International Labour Organisation's Global Estimates of Modern Slavery to learn more.
Australia is not immune from modern slavery. Reports to the AFP of trafficking in persons, slavery and slavery-like practices within Australia continue to increase each year. However, it is still likely that these practices remain underreported. You can visit the Australian Institue of Criminology website for more information.
The extent of modern slavery in Australia is difficult to quantify and is considered to be significantly under-reported due to a number of factors, including:
- Persons being unaware that they are experiencing modern slavery.
- Vulnerability of people who have experienced modern slavery.
- Fear of deportation or criminal repercussions.
- Reluctance to assist with a criminal justice response where perpetrators are family members or part of the same community.
Modern slavery trends evolve over time. To understand the prevalence of modern slavery crimes and support the development of evidence-based responses, data collection and analysis is a key component.
"Data provides the foundation of our knowledge on modern slavery. Reliable data allows us to monitor trends and build the evidence base for practical and targeted prevention and response measures, and to improve outcomes for victim-survivors and the systems that support them."
– Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC)
The AIC has published their findings from the Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery National Minimum Dataset (NMDS) pilot, July to December 2022. The NMDS is a national data collection on suspected victim-survivors and perpetrators of modern slavery in Australia.
Individuals and organisations can find out more about Australia’s commitment to strong action to address modern slavery on the Modern Slavery in Australia website.
The Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner is a new, independent pillar in Australia’s comprehensive response to countering modern slavery. The Commissioner will work with government, business, civil society, and the broader community to:
- promote compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
- engage and support victims and survivors
- raise awareness and educate the Australian community about modern slavery
- help fight modern slavery in Australia and overseas.
International engagement
Key international instruments
Australia has ratified the most significant international treaties to abolish human trafficking and other forms of modern slavery. Australia’s response on modern slavery is guided by the obligations in those international treaties (refer to Section 5 – Useful tools).
- Trafficking in persons is defined under international law by the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime – otherwise known as the Palermo Protocol.
- Slavery is defined under international law by the International Convention to Suppress the Slave Trade and Slavery.
The purpose of the Palermo Protocol (under Article 2) is to prevent modern slavery, protect and assist people with lived experience, and promote cooperation.
Other key international instruments include:
- Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, 1956
- ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)
- Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930
- ILO Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105)
- ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138)
- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 1984
- Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989
- Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, 2000
- ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 Refer to additional and useful resources for more information.
Refer to Section 5 – Useful tools for more information.
Key aspects of Australia’s international engagement
Addressing modern slavery requires international partnerships and engagement. Key aspects of Australia’s international engagement to end modern slavery include:
- Co-chairing, with Indonesia, the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime to drive regional cooperation.
- Co-chairing the Bali Process Government and Business Forum to enhance government and private sector collaboration.
- Implementing development investments to enhance responses to modern slavery and address the drivers. These include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–Australia Counter Trafficking (ASEAN–ACT) program (2018–28, $80 million), and the Tripartite Action to Enhance the Contribution of Labour Migration to Growth and Development (TRIANGLE) in ASEAN (2015–25, $24 million).
- Promoting multi-sector global partnerships through Alliance 8.7 to achieve Target 8.7 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, to eradicate modern slavery and child labour.
Australia’s international engagement to end modern slavery aims to:
- Increase understanding across sectors of the impact of modern slavery, advocate for action, and identify and highlight the tools available to act.
- Support and strengthen the systems in our region that detect, prevent and respond to these crimes.
- Address the drivers, both the specific and the general, through development investments and advocating for systemic change.
"Since it is a worldwide problem, not only Australia should be doing something about it… As the document mentions [in Role of Partnerships]: ‘collaboration is key to combating modern slavery."
– I.V