Australia: Reforming the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
Australia is undergoing a significant transformation in its approach to modern slavery legislation. The Attorney-General’s Department has launched public consultations to reform the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), with strong support from Chris Evans, the newly appointed Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
Key reform areas include:
- Enhanced mandatory reporting: Simplifying and improving the quality of disclosures.
- Due diligence obligations: Moving beyond transparency to requiring businesses to act on identified risks.
- Enforcement mechanisms: Introducing penalties for non-compliance, false reporting, and failure to implement due diligence.
Evans has made it clear that the goal is to move beyond reporting and toward actionable change.
The Commissioner’s recent publication, What is Human Rights Due Diligence?, outlines a practical framework for businesses to proactively identify, assess, and address human rights risks—including modern slavery—across their operations and supply chains.
New Zealand: Introducing the Modern Slavery and Worker Exploitation Bill
New Zealand is poised to enact its first comprehensive modern slavery legislation. The Modern Slavery and Worker Exploitation Bill has been introduced to Parliament, reflecting broad support across political and business sectors.
Key reform areas include:
- Mandatory reporting for entities with revenue over NZD $50 million.
- Due diligence requirements for high-risk sectors.
- Creation of an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.
- Public register of modern slavery statements to enhance transparency.
- Penalties for non-compliance, including director liability.
The Bill is supported by a detailed Regulatory Impact Statement and is designed to bring New Zealand into greater alignment with similar international legislation and with global standards such as the ILO Forced Labour Protocol and the UN Palermo Protocol.
How Bureau Veritas Supports Your Compliance Journey
At Bureau Veritas, we help organisations navigate the evolving modern slavery and human rights landscape with tailored solutions that go beyond compliance.
Our services include:
- Modern Slavery legislation compliance (Australia & New Zealand)
- On-site audits, including SMETA audits
- Supply chain traceability and ESG risk profiling
- Modern slavery statement assurance (Read our recent case study)
The recent publication by the Anti-Slavery Commissioner reinforces that human rights due diligence is not just a legal or ethical obligation—it’s a strategic business imperative.
It helps businesses:
- Manage legal, reputational, and commercial risks
- Strengthen stakeholder relationships
- Enhance supply chain resilience
- Prepare for evolving regulatory expectations
Our services are designed to help businesses implement risk-based due diligence frameworks, engage meaningfully with stakeholders, and track and communicate progress effectively.
With stricter due diligence and enforcement on the horizon, now is the time to act. Misreporting or inaction could lead to financial penalties and reputational harm.