UK modern slavery reform debate puts Australia’s laws in focus

The UK’s debate over modern slavery law reform puts Australia’s own reform agenda in the spotlight, as it considers how to move beyond corporate reporting and require businesses to prevent exploitation.

The Australian Government announced in July 2026 that it would introduce a criminal offence for large companies failing to prevent modern slavery in their supply chains.

The commitment marks a significant shift towards corporate accountability, but criminal liability alone will not close the gaps in the country’s Modern Slavery Act.

Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018 and the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 established expectations for large businesses to disclose modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains.

However, neither requires companies to conduct due diligence or prevent exploitation. This means companies can meet their reporting obligations without preventing or remedying the harm they identify.

The UK’s proposed reforms would strengthen reporting requirements and penalise non-compliance but would not require businesses to prevent modern slavery.

During the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ 2025 inquiry into forced labour in UK supply chains, experts including Walk Free called for mandatory due diligence requiring businesses to act on modern slavery risks.

But Part 5 of the proposed Immigration and Asylum Bill did not include a human rights due diligence requirement.

Amendments proposed by UK MP Sir Gavin Williamson would go further by requiring large organisations to take reasonable steps to prevent slavery and trafficking across their operations, subsidiaries, and supply chains.

Walk Free Director Katharine Bryant highlighted the need for the UK to move beyond transparency and require businesses to actively prevent modern slavery.

“So far, we have seen that transparency has not worked. What the UK needs now is to put in place legislation that requires companies to engage actively, conduct due diligence, and have their own risk management systems.”

Anti-slavery organisations have warned that the broader Immigration and Asylum Bill 2026 would weaken protections for people who have experienced modern slavery, including trafficking.

The proposed measures restrict access to support, while penalising survivors who are unable to disclose their experiences within set timeframes. These risks leave people vulnerable to further harm.

Organisations have also warned the Bill weakens protections for child trafficking victims and people seeking safety in the UK.

Effective action against modern slavery must strengthen corporate accountability without weakening protections and support for survivors.

Australia’s proposed criminal offence is an important step, but it will not address every case of modern slavery.

Without additional measures, exploitation risks remain hidden while responsible businesses face unfair competition from companies benefiting from forced labour.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and OECD Guidelines call for ongoing due diligence to prevent and address harm.

Governments are increasingly translating these expectations into enforceable due diligence requirements.

France, Germany, and Norway have already acted, followed by the broader European Union, increasing pressure on Australia and the UK to keep pace with the global standard.

Due diligence requires businesses to act on exploitation risks, while a forced labour import ban prevents goods linked to forced labour from entering Australian markets. Both measures are needed alongside graduated enforcement and access to remedy.

If Australia is to keep pace with the global shift towards stronger corporate accountability, a comprehensive Australian framework must include 4 elements:

The impact of Australia’s reforms will depend on whether they lead to better protection for people experiencing forced labour.

Australia and the UK were once leaders in government action against modern slavery.

Both now risk being outpaced as countries move beyond transparency to introduce stronger requirements for businesses to prevent and address human rights harms.