Large Australian Firms Fail on Modern Slavery Reporting
Monash University research reveals major companies lack clear procedures for handling reports of worker exploitation.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Employment
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A study of 39 major Australian corporations found most provide inadequate detail on grievance mechanisms for exploited workers. These findings arrive as the federal government prepares to introduce criminal penalties for firms failing to implement reasonable steps to prevent modern slavery.
Why it matters
The lack of transparency complicates efforts to mitigate human rights risks in global supply chains, where 21.5% of Australia's imports originate from high-risk regions. Stricter accountability measures are intended to close gaps in the 2018 Modern Slavery Act.
Researchers analysed 39 large Australian finance and materials firms using a 40-question framework. Only 10% of these companies consulted people with lived experience during design, while 5% reported consulting complainants on remedy effectiveness.
The players
Monash University
A public research university based in Melbourne that conducts extensive studies on corporate governance and human rights.
Attorney-General
The primary federal law officer responsible for overseeing legal reforms and the administration of justice in Australia.
NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner
A statutory office established to combat modern slavery and human trafficking within the state of New South Wales.
The details
Companies with an annual revenue of at least $100 million must submit reports on slavery risks under the current Modern Slavery Act. Despite this requirement, no firm disclosed the average time taken to complete remediation, and nine organisations failed to answer even 10 of the 40 assessment questions.
Timeline
The Modern Slavery Act came into effect in 2018.
The NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner published a reasonable steps guide in December 2023.
The Attorney-General announced proposed accountability changes in July 2026.
Macro View
This academic audit follows years of incremental policy development since the 2018 introduction of the Modern Slavery Act. By measuring corporate response rates against the 8R Framework, the study highlights the gap between current voluntary disclosures and the government's push for criminal-level accountability.
As new rules are drafted, large corporations will likely face tighter oversight on their supply chains, potentially impacting the availability or sourcing of goods. Consumers may see increased costs or inventory shifts as companies adjust operations to avoid potential criminal penalties.
The takeaway
Transparency remains a significant challenge for Australia's largest companies despite established reporting mandates. Investors and consumers should demand more granular data from firms regarding their grievance mechanisms to ensure real-world accountability.
Further reading
For further context on how businesses are managing work standards, explore the Australia Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CHOICE.
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