Modern Slavery
We provide clear guidance on the Modern Slavery Act and Modern Slavery Statements for Australia
TLB LAW & CO makes interpreting the
Modern Slavery Act easy and understandable
We help small to large businesses save time and money by helping with modern slavery reporting obligations that comply with all regulatory requirements. If your business is required to comply with the Australian Modern Slavery Act, TLB LAW & CO can provide you with the framework to meet your reporting obligations. Our team can help you craft all-inclusive and meaningful modern slavery reports that are specific to Australia.
Modern Slavery Act Australia Guidance
Let us step you through our simple and actionable guide so you can produce a statement that positively reflects your brand image. What you can expect with our modern slavery reporting services:
Modern Slavery Reporting Services
- Simple step-by-step guidance on reporting requirements saving you time and money
- Transparent upfront fees—no hidden costs
- Identify risks applicable to your organisation and produce a statement your organisation can be proud of
- Assistance with auditing processes including the requirements to audit your suppliers
- An understanding of your obligations and how to implement strategies to future proof your business
According to the Global Slavery Index 2018, in 2016 there were 15,000 people living in conditions of modern slavery in Australia. It is important that if your business is required to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 you have a team of experts who you know can assist you with your obligations.
TLB LAW & CO will help guide you through the process of producing comprehensive and meaningful Modern Slavery Statements, specific to Australia, that comply with all regulatory requirements.
Our team works with in-house counsel, procurement, and HR teams of reporting entities as well as smaller businesses who need assistance with the requirements placed on them by their customers or supply chain.
We help to cut through the legislation and assist with; contract drafting and contract review, drafting and improvement of policies and procedures including whistleblower, procurement, and modern slavery policies.
Contact our team today for a no-obligation consult.
Frequently Asked Questions About Modern Slavery In Australia
What is modern slavery?
Modern Slavery refers to the exploitation of individuals through various means such as forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, and other forms of coercion or deception.
What are the laws relating to modern slavery in Australia?
In Australia, there is a range of different laws related to modern slavery including the Criminal Code 1995, the Migration Act 1958, and the Modern Slavery Act 2018.
What is the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) and does my business have obligations under it?
The Modern Slavery Act requires businesses operating in Australia with an annual revenue of $100 million or more to report on what they have done to address the risk of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. Those businesses are called Reporting Entities under the Modern Slavery Act. If you work for a Reporting Entity and you’re unsure whether your business should be reporting (filing a statement) you should seek advice.
I’ve just found out our business should have reported under the Modern Slavery Act, what should we do?
Our lawyers are experienced in advising on Reporting Entities (businesses with an annual revenue of $100 million or more) on what they need to do to comply with the Act. We are also able to advise you on how to undertake an assessment of your organisation and supply chain, and what you need to do to draft your modern slavery statement.
We have received a non-compliance notice from the Australian Border Force. What should we do next?
Whilst it is important not to panic, you should take prompt and appropriate action. Depending on the nature of the non-compliance, the task to rectify the breach may require quite a bit of work and it is important that you take a measured approach and don’t leave it to the last minute.
Carefully review the grounds for the non-compliance notice so that you understand what is being asked of you and then create a plan on what is required. You might like to review our article on preparing a modern slavery statement as it has some helpful steps which might assist you to rectify a non-compliant statement.
If you are unsure what to do next reach out to obtain legal advice. You can book your 30-minute modern slavery discovery session with us. In the discovery call, we’ll gather information about your business and identify the issues you are facing, your requirements, and how I will be able to assist.
Our business received a modern slavery questionnaire, what should we do next?
If your business is a Reporting Entity under the Modern Slavery Act, it is likely you have already undertaken an assessment of the risks of modern slavery within your operations and supply chains and should be able to answer the questionnaire fairly easily.
If your business is not a Reporting Entity this might be a more difficult task as you might not have had to consider the matters being asked of you before. If you are unsure about the questions or why they are being asked of you may wish to review the Modern Slavery Statements Register where you will find a number of helpful resources.
You can also review some of our blog posts on the subject or call us for an obligation free chat.
Our organisation has already prepared a modern slavery statement under the UK legislation. Can we just use that statement?
No. The legislation in Australia requires that you undertake an assessment of your operations and supply chain and the statement must address key criteria. It is important that you do not simply use the statement prepared under the UK Modern Slavery Act as you may be breaching your obligations under the Australian Modern Slavery Act.
Can you provide any training on the Modern Slavery Act for our organisation?
Yes. We have developed training packages on the Modern Slavery Act that are suitable for both Reporting Entities and smaller entities. We are also able to tailor the training to suit your business.
Contact us on 1300 80 67 80 for more information about our training.
Why is TLB Law & Co the right firm to help our organisation with modern slavery compliance?
TLB Law & Co has been working with reporting entities from the outset of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). As such you can be assured that we have the experience and expertise in this area that can generally only be found in large law firms. We provide legal advisory on reporting entities’ obligations under the Modern Slavery Act and can provide practical guidance on the requirements to assess and address the risks of modern slavery in the organisation’s supply chains and the drafting of the organisation’s modern slavery statement.
Addressing modern slavery risks is an important component of the “S” in ESG. Our lawyers are well-versed in legal nuances surrounding modern slavery legislation in Australia and we keep up to date on changes that may impact your business. Whether you are a reporting entity or a smaller entity wanting to address practical matters such as drafting a modern slavery statement, understanding supplier questionnaires, addressing a non-compliance notice, or understanding your obligations in procurement or supply contracts, the team at TLB Law & Co can help your business be part of the solution in addressing this issue.
