EVIDENCE
The Commissioner now sits at the centre of Australia's modern slavery framework.
For organisations, the Commissioner matters for three reasons:
01
Shapes good practice
The office helps shape what good practice looks like in reality, not just in theory.
02
A focal point
It provides a focal point for guidance, collaboration and public leadership across business, civil society and government.
03
Influences reform
It's already influencing the reform conversation about what stronger modern slavery regulation in Australia should look like.
THE OFFICE
Who the Commissioner is
The inaugural Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner is Mr Chris Evans. The office was established under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and is intended to work across government, business, civil society and people with lived experience to address modern slavery in Australia.
STATUTORY FUNCTIONS
What section 20C covers
Under section 20C, the Commissioner's functions include:
01
Promoting compliance with the Modern Slavery Act​
02
Supporting entities to address modern slavery risks in operations and supply chains​
03
Supporting collaboration and engagement across sectors
04
Supporting victims through information and guidance​
05
Supporting education and awareness
06
Supporting and conducting research​
07
Collecting, analysing and disseminating information
08
Consulting with governments, agencies and organisations​
09
Advocating to the Commonwealth Government on matters relating to modern slavery​​
10
Advising the Minister when requested
JANUARY 2026
Why this matters to business
The Commissioner is not just symbolic. The office is helping define the policy direction of Australia's modern slavery response.
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In January 2026, the Commissioner's office published an initial position paper recommending a mandatory risk-based modern slavery due diligence obligation for reporting entities and a mechanism to declare certain products, services or industries as high risk.