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Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)

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Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 requires large entities based or operating in Australia with annual consolidated revenue of at least A$100 million to submit annual modern slavery statements. Those statements are published on the public Modern Slavery Statements Register. The Act is in force, but reform discussions are now focused on strengthening compliance and moving toward more risk-based action.

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The Modern Slavery Act 2018 is the foundation of Australia’s corporate modern slavery regime.

Its core purpose is to require transparency from large entities about the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains, and the actions they are taking to assess and address those risks.

That has made reporting the centre of most compliance programs. But reporting is only part of the picture.

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Who must report

The reporting requirement applies to entities based, or operating, in Australia that meet the annual consolidated revenue threshold set by the Act.

Statements are lodged on the public register and are intended to increase transparency, improve business response and support scrutiny by investors, civil society, customers and other stakeholders.

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What the Act does not do

The Act does not currently create a general, economy-wide mandatory due diligence obligation of the kind now being debated internationally and increasingly discussed in Australia.

That distinction matters.

Many organisations talk about “due diligence” as though it is already the universal legal test in Australia. That is too simplistic. The current framework remains centred on reporting, even though reform proposals are pushing the conversation further.

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Why the law is under review

In December 2024, the Government released its response to the statutory review and agreed in full, part, or in principle to 25 of 30 recommendations, then commenced consultations on relevant recommendations.

That means organisations should do two things at once:

• comply with the law as it stands

• prepare for a more demanding, risk-based operating environment