You may come across someone in the community who is in or at risk of modern slavery (learn more about warning signs). There is information on how you can help them. This includes how to connect them with specialist support.
You can contact any of the organisations on this page for confidential advice. They can help you find information and support services for someone’s situation.
Don’t try to remove someone from harm yourself – that could put both of you in danger.
Where possible, seek the person’s agreement before you contact a support service on their behalf. Mandatory reporting may apply.
If they are not safe, or it is an emergency, call the police on Triple Zero (000).
Responding to someone at risk
- Listen and be respectful.
- Support the person and tell them they are not alone.
- Ask them what they would like to happen next.
- Tell them about support services and websites where they can get more information.
- If they want professional support, you can offer to go with them.
- Do not tell anyone except support services what the person has told you. You cannot be sure who to trust and it may put the person in danger.
- If the person does not want help, do not force them. Let them know their options and that you are there to help if they change their mind.
- Do not make promises about what particular support is available. This can vary depending on the situation.
- Consider making some suggestions on staying safe.
Take a look at our resources for community members.
Support for people in or at risk of modern slavery
Government-funded support
Australia has a dedicated Support for Trafficked People Program. It helps people who have been in modern slavery with their safety, security, health and wellbeing.
A caseworker can help them access services, which may include:
- somewhere to stay or live
- healthcare
- counselling
- legal advice
- migration advice
- financial help
- training to help them learn new skills, including improving their English
- social support.
Find out more about support services for someone in or at risk of modern slavery.
How to access this support
The person in or at risk of modern slavery will need a referral from either:
- the Australian Federal Police
- a community service provider through the Additional Referral Pathway.
Australian Federal Police (AFP)
Phone: 131 237 (131 AFP)
Website: AFP or make a report online
Additional Referral Pathway
The Salvation Army: Call 1800 000 277 from 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday or visit their website.
Anti-Slavery Australia: Call 02 9514 8115 from 9am–5pm AET, Monday to Friday or email ASALegal@uts.edu.au.
Australian Muslim Women's Centre for Human Rights: Call 03 9481 3000 or email reception@amwchr.org.au.
Project Respect: Call, text or WhatsApp 0494 027 641, call 03 9416 3401, or email info@projectrespect.org.au from 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday.
Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association: Call 02 9517 2855 Tuesdays and Thursdays, or email arp@scarletalliance.org.au.
Other specialist support
Australian Red Cross – Information about the Support for Trafficked People Program
Australian Red Cross delivers the Support for Trafficked People Program, a government funded program that provides support and assistance to people who might have experienced human trafficking, slavery or slavery like practices, including forced marriage. Through a case management program, Red Cross might provide financial support, referrals to legal and community services, access to health services, employment pathways, short term accommodation, counselling and emotional support.
Phone: 1800 113 015
Email: national_stpp@redcross.org.au
Website: Red Cross
My Blue Sky – support for someone in or at risk of forced marriage
My Blue Sky – run by Anti-Slavery Australia – can help if someone is in a forced marriage, is being forced to marry or is worried about someone else. This national service can help someone:
- find out about their options
- apply for a visa
- stay safe through safety plans and court orders
- take legal action, such as getting a divorce
- connect with other support services, such as counselling, housing and financial help
- make a report to the police, if they want to.
My Blue Sky can help anyone in Australia or with a connection to Australia, including if you have been taken overseas. It does not matter what your visa status is.
Anyone can contact My Blue Sky directly for free and confidential support – they do not need to speak to the police or anyone else first. There are many ways of making contact, including a chatbox on their website that lets you message with the legal team during office hours.
Phone: 02 9514 8115
SMS (text): +61 481 070 844
Email: help@mybluesky.org.au
Website: www.mybluesky.org.au
Anti-Slavery Australia – support with legal and migration advice
Anti-Slavery Australia is a legal centre specialising in modern slavery. Anti-Slavery Australia can help with free, confidential legal and migration advice.
Someone in or at risk of modern slavery can contact Anti-Slavery Australia directly, or be referred by another organisation.
Phone: 02 9514 8115
Email: antislavery@uts.edu.au or use the online contact form
Website: Anti-Slavery Australia
Fair Work Ombudsman – support with workplace rights
The Fair Work Ombudsman can help if someone is worried about their pay, conditions and rights. Any worker in Australia can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman directly.
Phone: 13 13 94
Website: Fair Work Ombudsman or make an anonymous tip-off
Work Right Hub – support for someone in or at risk of modern slavery at work
The Australian Red Cross has information about support for someone being exploited at work, who might be in or at risk of modern slavery. This website has information in several languages.
Website: Red Cross
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 they need an interpreter
If the person you are supporting is a non-English speaker, tell them to:
- call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450
- tell the operator the language they need
- tell the interpreter the name and phone number of the organisation they want to speak to.
The operator will then connect them, the interpreter and the organisation on a call. All calls are free and confidential.
Reporting
Find out about how to report suspected modern slavery.
Need urgent help? If you or someone you know is not safe, or it is an emergency, phone Triple Zero (000) and ask to speak to the police. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.