Australia · Supplier due diligence and responsible sourcing
Modern Slavery Act consultation puts due diligence and enforcement in focus
The Attorney-General’s Department has published outcomes from consultation on possible Modern Slavery Act reforms. Stakeholders broadly supported powers addressing objective non-compliance and generally supported due diligence aligned with international guidance, but views differed on penalties, prescriptive requirements and high-risk declarations. These are reform considerations, not enacted amendments.
What this means
Understand the practical effect.
The Attorney-General’s Department has published outcomes from consultation on possible Modern Slavery Act reforms. Stakeholders broadly supported powers addressing objective non-compliance and generally supported due diligence aligned with international guidance, but views differed on penalties, prescriptive requirements and high-risk declarations. These are reform considerations, not enacted amendments.
What to do
Turn the update into action.
Continue meeting current reporting requirements while strengthening supplier-risk mapping, due-diligence evidence, remediation pathways and lodgement controls. Keep possible penalties, threshold changes and mandatory due diligence clearly labelled as proposals until legislation is enacted.
- Confirm current reporting status, due date, governing-body approval and signature and lodgement controls under the current Act.
- Map modern slavery risks by product or service, country, workforce and supply-chain tier rather than relying on supplier codes alone.
- Retain evidence of risk assessment, supplier engagement, grievance and remediation processes, and effectiveness review.
- Track legislation; do not present consultation themes, possible penalties, threshold changes or high-risk declarations as current law.
Official sources
Check the controlling material.
Practical support
Apply this update to your business.
Confirm the products, customer journeys, claims, suppliers or processes affected, then identify the evidence, ownership and timing needed for a defensible response.
Watchdog can assess the update against your circumstances and recommend the most useful next step.
Important information
Check the current position.
This update is general information, not legal advice. Laws, official guidance and proceedings can change. Check the current source and your specific facts before acting.