Human trafficking knows no borders, denying people their dignity and basic human rights. Victims of this crime are treated as a commodity
to be exploited and sold, with large profits generated often for organised criminal networks.
Across the globe, unstable governments, displaced persons, low employment options, the increasing cost of living, and impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic are exacerbating vulnerability to slavery and slavery-like practices which can occur in every country, industry and sector; and can occur in private domestic and family settings.
These types of offences are often under-reported, with research suggesting that for every one victim of human trafficking and slavery detected, four are undetected.
Reports of Human Trafficking in 2023-2024
The Australian Federal Police received 382 reports of human trafficking related offences in the 2023-2024 financial year.
These reports include:
- 109 reports of human trafficking (inclusive of entry, exit and child trafficking);
- 91 reports of forced marriage;
- 69 reports of forced labour;
- 59 reports of sexual exploitation;
- 21 reports of domestic servitude;
- 10 reports of debt bondage;
- 16 reports of deceptive recruitment;
- Four reports of slavery;
- Two reports of harbouring; and
- One report of organ trafficking.
The Australian Federal Police is the lead Australian investigative agency for all forms of human trafficking and slavery. For more information, including the signs a person may be at risk, visit the AFP website: Human trafficking & slavery indicators | Australian Federal Police.
The National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020-25 sets the strategic direction of the Australian Government’s work to combat modern slavery over this five-year period.
The Support for Trafficked People Program is delivered nationally by the Australian Red Cross and is a key component of Australia’s response to support victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Information and confidential advice is also available from the Australian Red Cross (ARC), by calling (03) 9345 1800 or visiting the ARC website.
The Additional Referral Pathway (ARP) is a way for people to access support for people who have experienced human trafficking. The ARP provides free and confidential support, can offer free legal advice about your experience and can help you with your immediate safety and wellbeing needs.
If eligible, the Additional Referral Pathway can refer you to the Australian Red Cross Support for Trafficked People Program. To access the Additional Referral Pathway, call 1800 000 277 between 9am to 5pm Mon – Fri, or visit the Salvation Army Referral Pathway website.
Forced labour indicators
The below can be indicators of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, which are comprehensively criminalised under Divisions 270 and 271 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth):
- Workers live in places unsuitable for living, such as in agricultural or industrial buildings or in overcrowded or unsafe accommodation.
- Lack of protective work equipment.
- No access to earnings or savings.
- No labour contract.
- Forced to work excessively long hours.
- No choice of accommodation.
- Never leave work premises without being escorted by their employer.
- Unable to move freely.
- Disciplined through fines.
- Subjected to insults, abuse, threats or violence.
- Employer doesn’t provide basic training.
- Information is provided in languages other than the local language around the workplace.
- No health and safety notices.
- Employer or manager being unable to show the documents required for employing workers from other countries.
- Employer or manager being unable to show records of wages paid to workers.
- Health and safety equipment being of poor quality or missing.
- Work equipment being designed or modified so that it can be operated by children.
- Evidence that labour laws are being breached.
- Evidence that workers must pay for tools or that costs for food or accommodation are being unlawfully deducted from their wages.
No one single indicator on its own is evidence of modern slavery practices. Each case needs to be considered in its entirety. If you have concerns, call 131 AFP (237) or report via the Australian Federal Police website.
Glossary of Terms
| Human trafficking | The act of trafficking in persons through the recruitment, transportation, transfer and harbouring, or receipt of persons by means of threat or the use of force or other forms of coercion (including abduction, deception, abuse of power, fraud, vulnerability, giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person, or having control over another person) for the purpose of exploitation. |
| Trafficking in persons | The physical movement of people across or within borders through coercion, threat or deception for the purpose of exploiting them when they reach their destination. Where the person being trafficked is a child, coercion, threat or deception is not required for a trafficking in persons offence to be established under Australian law. That means that any child who has been physically moved for the purpose of exploitation has been trafficked. |
| Slavery | Situations where any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership over a person are exercised. This includes when the ownership arises because of a debt or contract made by the victim. |
| Slavery-like Practices | Exploitation so serious that it is considered similar to slavery. These offences include servitude, forced labour, deceptive recruiting for labour or services, debt bondage, and forced marriage. |
| Victim and/or Survivor |
These terms are often used to describe an individual who has experienced modern slavery. We acknowledge that individuals who have experienced modern slavery may not identify with the terms ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’. |
Human trafficking vs. People smuggling
People smuggling is a very different crime to human trafficking and other forms of modern slavery.
People smuggling refers to the organised, irregular movement of people across international borders on a payment-for-service basis. This is distinct from human trafficking, which refers to the movement of people across or within borders through coercion, threat or deception for the purpose of exploiting them.
