02 December 2024, 8:04am
Media Release
AFP warns of rise of forced labour and exploitation in Australia
Editor’s note: Audio grabs of AFP Commander Helen Schneider available via Hightail.
The AFP has recorded a rise in the number of forced labour and exploitation reports as criminal networks recruit offshore workers using deceptive recruitment tactics to traffic them into Australia.
As part of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December, 2024, the AFP is highlighting how criminal networks target vulnerable individuals looking for work in Australia and use deceptive methods to recruit and exploit them into forced labour, exploitation, and debt bondage – crimes that are forms of human trafficking.
Since 2018, the AFP has received 247 reports relating to forced labour and exploitation – with reports of the crime increasing almost 140 per cent in the past six years.*
Forced labour is when people are coerced, threatened or deceived into working against their will because they do not consider they are free to stop work, or leave their place of employment.
Signs a person may be a victim include acts of physical and psychological abuse, poor working conditions and being in debt bondage - when a victim believes they have a large debt owing to their employer and must work to pay it off.
A Templestowe man was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment for forced labour offences in January, 2024, after coercing a victim to work 14-hour days for two consecutive years under threats of deportation.
The victim started employment at a Box Hill confectionery business in 2015, where he was forced by the owner to work 14-hour shifts without any breaks. View the Melbourne man jailed for forced labour release.
Victims deceived into forced labour are often subjected to gruelling conditions such as excessive work hours without breaks, water and sleep deprivation, threats to life or threats of sexual assault, restricted communication, and physical punishments.
Many victims are denied payment and access to contracts, their own visas, passports or personal documentation.
The AFP also identified increasing forced labour within the maritime industry after a Darwin man was charged for allegedly recruiting crew to work on his fishing boat through deceptive online advertisements and holding them against their will in December, 2023. The man has been charged with a total of 44 human trafficking type offences, and the matter is currently before the court. View the Darwin man charged with forced labour release.
AFP Human Exploitation Commander Helen Schneider said victims of human trafficking were treated as commodities by organised criminal groups and were subjected to degrading conditions for exploitation and profit.
“Criminal syndicates will use deceptive recruitment tactics to target and force vulnerable individuals into these appalling situations, and trap them into endless cycles of debt, forced labour or domestic servitude,” Commander Schneider said.
“The AFP is the lead agency in investigating this crime type and we investigate any reports we receive but we also urge members of the public to be vigilant and alert police to any suspicions of human trafficking offences.
“We understand it can be incredibly difficult for vulnerable people and anyone with information to come forward, but we want to assure them that help, and protection is available. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking or slavery offences, you can make a report to the AFP by calling 131 AFP.”
*Reports of forced labour and exploitation received by the AFP between 2018 to 2024 (financial years).
| 2018/19 FY | 2019/20 FY | 2020/21 FY | 2021/22 FY | 2022/23 FY | 2023/24 FY | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 29 | 35 | 42 | 43 | 69 | 247 |
Reports of Human Trafficking in 2023-2024
The AFP received 382 reports of human trafficking related offences in the 2023-2024 financial year.
These reports include:
- 109 reports of human trafficking (inclusive of entry, exit and child trafficking);
- 91 reports of forced marriage;
- 69 reports of forced labour;
- 59 reports of sexual exploitation;
- 21 reports of domestic servitude;
- 10 reports of debt bondage;
- 16 reports of deceptive recruitment;
- Four reports of slavery;
- Two reports of harbouring; and
- One report of organ trafficking.
The AFP is the lead Australian investigative agency for all forms of human trafficking and slavery. For more information, including the signs a person may be at risk, visit the AFP website: Human trafficking & slavery indicators | Australian Federal Police.
The National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020-25 sets the strategic direction of the Australian Government’s work to combat modern slavery over this five-year period.
The Support for Trafficked People Program is delivered nationally by the Australian Red Cross and is a key component of Australia’s response to support victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Information and confidential advice is also available from the Australian Red Cross (ARC), by calling (03) 9345 1800 or visiting the ARC website.
The Additional Referral Pathway (ARP) is a way for people to access support for people who have experienced human trafficking. The ARP provides free and confidential support, can offer free legal advice about your experience and can help you with your immediate safety and wellbeing needs.
If eligible, the ARP can refer you to the Australian Red Cross Support for Trafficked People Program. To access the ARP, call 1800 000 277 between 9am to 5pm Mon – Fri, or visit the Salvation Army Referral Pathway website.
Forced labour indicators
The below can be indicators of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, which are comprehensively criminalised under Divisions 270 and 271 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth):
- Workers live in places unsuitable for living, such as in agricultural or industrial buildings or in overcrowded or unsafe accommodation.
- Lack of protective work equipment.
- No access to earnings or savings.
- No labour contract.
- Forced to work excessively long hours.
- No choice of accommodation.
- Never leave work premises without being escorted by their employer.
- Unable to move freely.
- Disciplined through fines.
- Subjected to insults, abuse, threats or violence.
- Employer doesn't provide basic training.
- Information is provided in languages other than the local language around the workplace.
- No health and safety notices.
- Employer or manager being unable to show the documents required for employing workers from other countries.
- Employer or manager being unable to show records of wages paid to workers.
- Health and safety equipment being of poor quality or missing.
- Work equipment being designed or modified so that it can be operated by children.
- Evidence that labour laws are being breached.
- Evidence that workers must pay for tools or that costs for food or accommodation are being unlawfully deducted from their wages.
No one single indicator on its own is evidence of modern slavery practices. Each case needs to be considered in its entirety. If you have concerns, call 131 AFP (237) or report via the AFP website.
