Modern slavery risk in supply chains

There is significant risk of modern slavery in health sector supply chains. The United Nations estimates that modern slavery affects 50 million people world-wide. For an overview of modern slavery, visit the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department website.

We consult on modern slavery risk in health sector supply chains. Our approach to modern slavery risk mitigation is detailed in the HSV Modern Slavery Position Statement.

Modern slavery risk mitigation obligations on businesses operating in Australia

Australia's Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) governs large businesses and entities operating in Australia. Under the Act, large businesses with annual revenue of at least $100 million are required to report on their actions to identify and address modern slavery risks in their global operations and supply chains.

For information on modern slavery in business at the international level, the United Nations has published their Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Information for health services

We provide support, guidance, tools and templates to Victoria's public health services that are required to comply with the Act.

Information and resources

To access modern slavery risk mitigation information for health services, click here.

Training

To access modern slavery risk mitigation training for health services, click here.

Information for suppliers

Suppliers under HSV collective agreement are required to comply with the HSV supplier minimum standards and, if applicable, the Act.

Information and examples

To access modern slavery risk mitigation information for suppliers, click here.

Training

To access modern slavery risk mitigation training for suppliers, click here.

Where to get more information

For queries about our role in supporting modern slavery risk mitigation, please contact our Modern Slavery team at modernslavery@healthsharevic.org.au.

The Attorney-General's Department - Modern Slavery Business Engagement Unit offers guidance and support via slavery.consultations@abf.gov.au.

Resources

We have collated resources from various organisations who work to address modern slavery risk. These resources may help you to meet your obligations and better understand modern slavery risk in your supply chain. Please note HSV does not suggest these resources are exhaustive or best practice.

Modern Slavery Act – resources and guidance materials
  • Commonwealth Government instructions on complying with the Modern Slavery Act including reporting on efforts to address and prevent modern slavery in operations and supply chains, titled The Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 Guidance for Reporting Entities. 
  • The Office of the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s (OASC) Strategic Plan establishes the framework for the work of the Commissioner’s Office between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2028. It sets out four strategic priorities, each with a corresponding objective, set of initiatives, and intended outcomes and impact, and can be accessed here. Access the OASC Strategic Plan on the OASC website.
  • A Red Cross introductory guide to Addressing modern slavery – A guide for Australian businesses.
  • A University of NSW collaborative research project providing guidance for businesses on core aspects of human rights due diligence and how to strengthen their responses to the Modern Slavery Act, titled Good Practice Toolkit: Strengthening Modern Slavery Responses.
  • A Global Compact Network Australia playbook, raising awareness and providing support to businesses to identify, manage and mitigate their risk of being involved in modern slavery, titled Modern Slavery Risk Management: A playbook for Australian SMEs. 
  • ‘What ‘Good’ looks like – engaging suppliers’ is a UK publication which sets out practical, experience-based approaches for companies to move beyond audits and box-ticking toward capacity building and worker engagement, use of leverage, and remediation that lead to more resilient and responsible supply chains. Access the publication What ‘Good’ looks like – engaging suppliers.

Cleaning industry focussed resources
  • A report by the Cleaning Accountability Framework (CAF) titled Cleaning Contractors: Modern Slavery Guidance. The CAF is an organisation dedicated to improving labour practices in the cleaning industry. The CAF works with stakeholders across the supply chain to ensure ethical standards.
  • A Cleaning Accountability Framework (CAF) YouTube video explaining how businesses should apply the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in their modern slavery reporting. The video focuses on human rights due diligence and remediation, particularly in the cleaning industry through CAF certification and is titled CAF Certification through a modern slavery lens. 
  • An Everyday Slavery YouTube video exploring modern slavery in the cleaning industry, highlighting unfair pricing, lived experiences of exploitation, and what businesses and

Security industry focussed resources
  • A Cleaning Accountability Framework YouTube video featuring experts in modern slavery, labour law, supply chain due diligence, and temporary migrant workers, guiding universities on promoting good labour practices, titled University briefing on cleaning and security compliance.
  • An Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility report, highlighting how complex labour hire and subcontracting in the security industry have led to widespread non-compliance with workplace laws, including modern slavery, titled Review of Victoria’s Private Security Industry.

Freight and supply chain industry focussed resources
  • Presented by Chris Caskey and Rod Pickette, a YouTube video looking at how modern slavery occurs at sea and ways cargo owners can mitigate these risks, titled Bite Sized Learning: Modern Slavery Within Maritime Shipping Supply Chains. 
  • A Walk Free report on forced labour in the fishing industry, highlighting economic pressures and regulatory gaps that exploit fishers, particularly migrants. The report reviews technological and legal measures used to improve labour conditions and recommends actions to take to combat forced labour at sea and is titled Charting Progress Against Forced Labour at Sea.

How to report modern slavery

You can report suspected cases of modern slavery to one of the following organisations. In an emergency, or if a child is concerned, dial 000 to get emergency assistance.

 

 

Content reviewed: January 2026