In situations of modern slavery, one person uses their power over another to control or use them for their own benefit. It takes away someone’s freedom to make choices for themselves.
Modern slavery can take many forms. These include:
Modern slavery also includes the worst forms of child labour.
It happens in every country, including Australia.
Someone experiencing modern slavery might be used, bought, sold or traded like property. They might be denied the freedom to decide how to live their life.
They might have no choice about:
- where and when they work
- what they do
- how long they work for.
They may feel they are not free to stop working, or leave the place where they work.
They might not be able to choose who, when and if they marry, not fully understand what marriage means, or may have been a child under the age of 16 (in Australia) when they married.
Find out about the warning signs of modern slavery and how to report suspected modern slavery.
Modern slavery may have been used to produce the goods and services Australians buy and use. Learn more about Australia’s response to modern slavery in supply chains.
What is not modern slavery
There are other types of bad, unfair, abusive or illegal treatment that are not modern slavery.
Dangerous or poor working conditions
Someone might be treated badly at work, or not paid properly. This is not acceptable, and they can get help from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Modern slavery includes the most serious forms of worker exploitation – where a person uses coercion, threats, or lies to make someone work for them or another person, and takes away their freedom and ability to make choices for themselves.
If someone is not sure if their situation is modern slavery, they can still get help (see get help for yourself and support someone else).
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Modern slavery includes the most serious forms of worker exploitation.
Modern Slavery
- Coercion (like manipulation, control or violence), threats or lies to force a person to work
- A person has no choice when and where they work
- Working extremely long hours with no time off
- Not paid or paid very little
- Cannot leave the workplace
- Passport or other identity documents taken away
Note: A person may be in modern slavery even if these warning signs are not present.
Dangerous or poor work conditions
- Workplace is unsafe
- A worker is not paid fairly or does not receive all their benefits (such as leave or superannuation)
- Working extremely long hours
- A person feels pressure not to stop or refuse excessive or unsafe work
Decent work
- A person is paid fairly (at least the minimum wage) and receives all their benefits
- Worker rights are respected
- Safe workplace
- A person feels free to change jobs
