Quick Answer
What is deceptive recruitment for labour or services? Deceptive recruitment is recruiting someone for work using false promises about the pay, the job, the conditions or their freedom to leave. It is a form of modern slavery and a criminal offence in Australia, carrying up to 7 years’ imprisonment, or 9 years in aggravated cases. Modern slavery training helps staff recognise the warning signs, such as pay that does not match the offer or withheld documents, and report them.
In this guide
Modern slavery is a term used to describe situations of serious exploitation where coercion, threat or deception are used to exploit victims and undermine or deprive them of their freedom. Modern slavery continues to exist in present-day society, driven by exploiters who seek to generate personal and financial gain.
Modern slavery may impact or involve your organisation, your suppliers, the suppliers of your suppliers, all the way through your supply chain.
However, exploitation and coercion are not only limited to jobs in labour markets or where there is minimal legal protection. This blog post describes deceptive recruitment and how to overcome it with modern slavery training. Let us begin.
What Is Deceptive Recruitment for Labour or Service?
Deceptive recruitment, as the name suggests, is recruiting someone for labour or service on a false pretence. Once employed, the actual job scenario turns out to be different from what was promised. People might also be recruited for a higher salary but paid quite less.
This practice is a form of modern slavery and also includes force, threats, or coercion. When the victim realises that the claims made during recruitment are false and they challenge it, they can also suffer from further threats or coercion. Some victims also stay in the arrangement due to financial or visa concerns.
For example, a newly hired site worker realises that their on-paper pay varies from the amount they are being paid. They might want to leave but certain financial obligations stop them from taking that decision without a better opportunity in hand. Hence, they continue to work despite the deception.
Warning signs of deceptive recruitment
Deceptive recruitment usually shows up as a gap between what was promised and what the work turns out to be:
| What was promised | What the worker finds |
|---|---|
| A set hourly rate or salary | Much lower pay, unexplained deductions or no pay at all |
| A specific job or role | Different, more dangerous or degrading work |
| Reasonable hours | Excessive hours with no real choice to refuse |
| Free to leave at any time | Debts, withheld passports or threats that stop them leaving |
| Decent accommodation | Overcrowded or unsafe housing, often paid for out of wages |
Other red flags include recruitment fees charged to workers, contracts in a language the worker cannot read, a third party holding identity documents, and workers who seem afraid to speak to anyone outside their supervisor.
Is deceptive recruiting a crime in Australia?
Yes. Deceptive recruiting for labour or services is an offence under the Commonwealth Criminal Code, with a maximum penalty of 7 years’ imprisonment, or 9 years where aggravating factors apply. The AFP recorded 5 reports of deceptive recruiting in 2024-25, down from 16 the year before, but many cases are never reported.
What Is Modern Slavery Training?
Modern slavery training for your employees is a learning program that helps educate learners about the behaviours and practices that lead to modern slavery, how to identify them, and how to report and resolve them. This training can also be targeted at volunteers, suppliers, contractors, and stakeholders to tackle the issues of modern slavery better.
How Can Modern Slavery Training Help?
Training is one of the most practical ways to stop deceptive recruitment. For the wider business case, see the benefits of modern slavery training.
1. Instil Business Values
A business can only run successfully if its functions are aligned with its goals and values. Implementing a modern slavery training program in your workplace helps all your employees understand the standards of behaviour that are expected from them. Stating the zero-tolerance policy towards any form of modern slavery via training can help you provide a better workplace. All onboarding employees must be given this training to instil your business values.
2. Increase Awareness
Many people are unaware of the exploitation that some of their colleagues or subordinates are subjected to. Modern slavery awareness training can help define the behaviours and practices that can be identified as deceptive recruitment. It also describes how to report such incidents. The higher the awareness, the better the resolution and prevention of deceptive recruitment.
3. Provide Required Support
When employees don’t know whom to ask for help, they are less likely to raise their concerns. Giving your employees training and clearly defined rules is beneficial for both those requiring support and those providing support. Everyone can be sure of their role in preventing deceptive recruitment issues.
4. Help Make Employees Feel Valued
Employees who are provided with proper learning opportunities feel empowered and valued in the organisation. Implementing modern slavery training is a way to keep your workplace free from exploitation, which again makes employees feel valued.
5. Stay Compliant with Laws
All organisations must comply with Australia’s criminal laws against modern slavery, and larger entities must also report on the steps they take to address modern slavery risks. Providing modern slavery training is one thing you can do to help comply with the laws as well as reap all the other benefits. Compliance reduces the risks of penalties or incidents in your workplace.
FAQs
1. What is deceptive recruitment?
Deceptive recruitment is when someone is recruited for work on false promises about the pay, the job, the conditions or their freedom to leave. Once they start, the reality is very different, and they may be trapped by debt, threats or visa concerns.
2. Is deceptive recruiting a form of modern slavery?
Yes. Australian law treats deceptive recruiting as one of the modern slavery offences in the Criminal Code, alongside forced labour, servitude and debt bondage. It is often the first step into other forms of exploitation.
3. What are the signs of deceptive recruiting?
Look for pay that does not match what was promised, recruitment fees charged to workers, identity documents held by someone else, contracts the worker cannot read, unsafe accommodation linked to the job and workers who seem afraid to speak openly.
4. How can employers prevent deceptive recruitment?
Use reputable recruiters and labour hire providers, check that providers hold a licence in states that require one, give workers written terms in a language they understand, never let anyone hold workers’ documents, and train hiring and supervising staff to recognise the warning signs.
5. How do you report suspected deceptive recruitment?
Contact the AFP on 131 237 or through its confidential online form. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). Workers can also seek support without going to police first through the Additional Referral Pathway on 1800 000 277.
Conclusion
Deceptive recruitment for labour or services is a rising concern in the global economy. If not stopped, it can continue to exploit the talent pool, which may eventually lead to poor productivity. Organisations that are committed to growth along with human values must invest in providing equal employment opportunities for all and modern slavery awareness training to all of their employees.
Sentrient helps businesses implement modern slavery and human rights awareness training easily with a 15-minute online learning course.
If you are looking for a way to educate your employees, contact us right away.
Sources
Federal Register of Legislation: Criminal Code Act 1995
Australian Federal Police: Reports of human trafficking nearly double over past five years (2025)
Walk Free: Global Slavery Index, Australia country study
Last reviewed: October 2026
Read More About Modern Slavery :
- 7 Ways We Can Stop Modern Slavery
- 5 Robust Ways To Tackle Modern Slavery
- Modern Slavery – What Is Deceptive Recruitment For Labour Or Service And How Can Training Help
- How Can Modern Slavery Training Help Fight The Worst Forms Of Child Labour
- New Compliance Course Released – Modern Slavery and Human Rights Training Course
