There are safe and free services to help you if you are in or at risk of modern slavery. You can ask for help even if you are not sure you are in modern slavery.
You can also get help and support even if you do not have a visa, or have not followed your visa conditions.
Find out about modern slavery and its warning signs.
Support for people affected by modern slavery
Government-funded support
Australia has a dedicated support program to help with your safety, security, health and wellbeing needs. This is called the Support for Trafficked People Program, and it is delivered by the Australian Red Cross.
If you are eligible for this program, a caseworker will help you access the services you need. These might be:
- somewhere to stay or live
- healthcare
- counselling
- legal advice
- migration advice
- financial help
- training to help you develop new skills, including learning or improving your English
- social support.
You can access the support program through a referral from either:
- the Australian Federal Police
- a community service provider through the Additional Referral Pathway.
Visa information and support
Human Trafficking Visa Framework
Australia’s Human Trafficking Visa Framework provides support to eligible people in Australia who have experienced modern slavery in Australia who do not hold a visa. You may be eligible to remain in Australia on a temporary visa for a period of rest and recovery, allowing you to access the Support for Trafficked People Program. You may also be eligible to remain in Australia for a longer period to assist police with an investigation or prosecution, and in some circumstances permanently if you would be danger if you returned to your home country. Your immediate family members may also be eligible for a visa under the framework.
Reporting protections for visa holders
If you have a temporary visa with permission to work, your visa will not automatically be cancelled because you did not follow your visa’s conditions.
Even if your visa does not give you permission to work, you are not in trouble if you have been forced to work in modern slavery. Read more about the Strengthening Reporting Protections Pilot.
Department of Home Affairs – reporting protections for visa holders
If someone is a migrant worker, they can report bad treatment without automatically risking their visa. There is support to help them feel safe and report their exploitation.
Website: Department of Home Affairs
If you are in New South Wales
NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner
The NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner Hotline is a 24/7 confidential support and assistance hotline available for people in, or at risk of, modern slavery, in NSW.
Phone: 1800 FREEDOM (1800 37 33 36)
Email: antislavery@dcj.nsw.gov.au
Website: NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner
Other specialist support
If you need an interpreter
Call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. Tell the operator the language you need. Then tell the interpreter the name and phone number of the organisation you want to speak to. The operator will then connect you, the interpreter and the organisation on a call. All calls are free and confidential.