The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) requires businesses to report annually about the steps they have taken to address modern slavery risks in their supply chains and operations. It applies to businesses that are based in, or operate in, Australia with an annual revenue of more than $100 million. A business may be a sole trader or a company incorporated under the provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).

For the purposes of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), modern slavery refers to conduct that would constitute an offence under Division 270 (slavery and slavery-like offences) or Division 271 (trafficking in persons) of the Commonwealth Criminal Code (contained within the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth)). Division 270 of the Criminal Code defines slavery as the exercise of the rights of ownership over a person, including where that arises out of a debt or contract [s 270.1]. Modern slavery also includes child labour [see Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) s 4].

Businesses that are required to report must provide the Attorney-General (as Minister responsible) with a Modern Slavery Statement annually. Under s 16 of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), every Modern Slavery Statement must describe:

The statement may also include any other relevant information.

A business that fails to comply with its reporting obligations may be requested to provide an explanation to the Attorney-General or undertake remedial action (or both) [s 16A]. If a business fails to comply with a request of the Attorney-General, the Attorney-General may publish information about the business and its failure to comply on the Modern Slavery Statements Register [s 16A(4)].

The Modern Slavery Statements Register is a publicly available and searchable database that publishes the full text of all Modern Slavery Statements provided under the Act.

In 2024 the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner was established. For more information, visit the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner's website. This website also includes information about support services for those in or at risk of modern slavery.