30 Oct 2025

Reports of modern slavery in Australia reach record high as calls grow for stronger national response

New figures show rising forced marriage and trafficking in Australia, highlighting the need for stronger protections. Policies that restrict the rights of women, migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers increase their risk of exploitation.

Workers pick navel oranges at the MAM Trust farm in Leeton, Australia, on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Photo Credit: Bloomberg / Contributor via Getty Images.

Reports of modern slavery and human trafficking in Australia have reached their highest level on record.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) received 420 reports in the 2024–25 financial year, which is an increase of 10% from the previous year.

Forced marriage and exit trafficking have surged, with exit trafficking referring to situations where someone is coerced, threatened, or deceived into leaving or being taken out of Australia.

Reports of forced marriage increased from 91 to 118, and exit trafficking more than doubled from 35 to 75.

The AFP says these trends reflect growing community awareness, but these numbers only represent a fraction of the true scale of exploitation.

How Australia can strengthen its response to modern slavery

While awareness and reporting are improving, Australia’s treatment of vulnerable groups continues to leave people exposed to modern slavery.

Policies that isolate, criminalise, or restrict the rights of women, migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers create conditions where exploitation is more likely to happen.

Walk Free recommends that Australia:

Strengthen the Modern Slavery Act with ambitious reforms, introducing mandatory due diligence obligations and banning products made with forced labour to ensure businesses are accountable for exploitation.
Support businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to identify, prevent, and address modern slavery risks through guidance, resources, and practical tools.
Improve reporting standards to prevent modern slavery greenwashing, ensuring statements reflect meaningful action with clear evidence rather than a tick-box or public relations exercise.
Align forced marriage laws nationally and with global standards, raising the minimum legal age to 18 with no exceptions and ensuring consistent definitions across federal and state laws.
Empower survivor leadership by involving people with lived experience in shaping policy, programs, and advocacy to ensure responses are informed by those most affected.
Provide long-term funding and support for the Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s office so it can effectively oversee compliance, coordinate national efforts, and drive prevention and protection measures.

A national effort to protect people from exploitation in Australia

Across the country, the AFP’s Human Exploitation Community Officer program is raising awareness and increase identification of modern slavery crimes.

However, these recent figures suggest that Australia’s current systems are still too reactive.

Efforts need to shift to include a greater focus on preventing exploitation through stronger laws, safer migration pathways, and greater public awareness.

Walk Free continues to work with partners, governments, and communities to strengthen Australia’s response to modern slavery and ensure every person can live free from exploitation.

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