Modern slavery in Australia 2024–25

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Abstract

The Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery National Minimum Dataset is a national data collection on modern slavery events that come to the attention of the Australian Government agencies responsible for responding to these incidents. This study describes modern slavery reports received between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, the characteristics of victim-survivors and perpetrators identified in these reports, the nature of government-funded support provided to victim-survivors and the outcomes of modern slavery prosecutions.

References

URLs correct as at October 2025

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2016. Standard Australian Classification of Countries (SACC). Canberra: ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/classifications/standard-australian-classification-countries-sacc/latest-release

Australian Federal Police (AFP) nd. Human trafficking and slavery. https://www.afp.gov.au/crimes/human-trafficking-and-people-smuggling/human-trafficking-and-slavery

Australian Federal Police 2023. Human Trafficking and Slavery Strategic Plan 2023–2026. Canberra: Australian Federal Police. https://www.afp.gov.au/crimes/human-trafficking-and-people-smuggling/human-trafficking-and-slavery

Bricknell S & Renshaw L 2015. Exploring the feasibility of an enhanced monitoring program on human trafficking and slavery. Technical and background paper series no. 59. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tbp/tbp59

Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) nd. Human trafficking and slavery. https://www.cdpp.gov.au/crimes-we-prosecute/human-trafficking-and-slavery

Department of Social Services (DSS) 2025a. Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program. https://www.dss.gov.au/human-trafficking-and-slavery/forced-marriage-specialist-support-program

Department of Social Services 2025b. Support for Trafficked People Program. https://www.dss.gov.au/human-trafficking-and-slavery/support-trafficked-people-program

Gannoni A & Bricknell S 2024. Findings from the Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery National Minimum Dataset pilot, July to December 2022. Statistical Report no. 48. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.52922/sr77703

Lyneham S 2021. Attrition of human trafficking and slavery cases through the Australian criminal justice system. Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 640. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.52922/ti78443

International Organization for Migration (IOM) & United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2023. International Classification Standard for Administrative Data on Trafficking in Persons. Geneva: IOM. https://migrantprotection.iom.int/en/resources/guideline/international-classification-standard-administrative-data-trafficking-persons

McDonald A & Bricknell S 2025. Modern slavery in Australia 2022–23. Statistical Report no. 54. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.52922/sr78052

Contents

  • Acknowledgements
  • Acronyms and abbreviations
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
    • Data collection and reference period
    • Definitions and counting rules
    • Changes from previous report
  • Reports of modern slavery in Australia
    • Exploitation type and industry
    • Assessment and investigation
    • Exploitation type of reports investigated
    • Suspected victim-survivors
    • Suspected perpetrators
  • Victim-survivors receiving assistance through government-funded support programs
    • Support for Trafficked People Program
    • Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program
  • Access to the Human Trafficking Visa Framework
  • Modern slavery matters referred for prosecution
    • Charges
    • Defendant pleas
    • Outcomes
    • Defendant characteristics
    • Victim-witnesses
  • References