Quick Answer
There are 8 types of modern slavery under Australian law: human trafficking, slavery, servitude, forced labour, forced marriage, debt bondage, deceptive recruiting for labour or services, and the worst forms of child labour. All are serious crimes. At work, they can show up as withheld pay or passports, debts that can never be repaid, jobs that turn out to be different from what was promised, and workers who feel they cannot leave.
In this guide
The presence of modern slavery in various industries reveals the flaws in our social structure and norms. Every person deserves to be treated respectfully and fairly. But social evils such as modern slavery reduce some humans to merely being used as a source of labour. These practices hinder social and economic progress and take our civilisation centuries back, where the rich keep becoming richer, and the poor keep getting poorer.
Prevention of modern slavery can begin with businesses that understand their role and responsibility to encourage fair practices in society. Numerous laws and regulations have been designed and developed to help businesses implement the required changes. Modern slavery is a serious crime under Australian law, and larger organisations must report on the risks in their operations and supply chains under the Modern Slavery Act 2018. Our guide to what modern slavery is and how to prevent it covers those reporting rules.
Whether you are a business owner or an employee, you must understand the types of modern slavery to be able to identify it in your workplace and raise the issue with the appropriate persons. Let’s look at some of the most common types of modern slavery.
What Are the Various Types of Modern Slavery?
1. Child labour
Any work that deprives a child (below the age of 18) of their childhood, potential, and dignity is termed child labour. It hinders their schooling and long-term development and is generally dangerous both mentally and physically. Child labour also puts children at risk of injury, disease, or death. The worst forms of child labour include slavery, hazardous work, trafficking, and sexual exploitation. Under Australian law, it is these worst forms of child labour that count as modern slavery.
Children who are prone to such labour often come from families trapped in poverty and are vulnerable to abuse.
Example: Children working in the mining industry, forced to produce or traffic drugs, etc.
2. Deceptive recruiting for labour or services
There are cases when a person signing up for a new job might not know the correct contractual agreements. People are recruited on the pretence of some lucrative opportunity that aligns with their perspective. But the arrangement later turns out to be quite different from what was agreed upon. Some people might be trapped to stay in employment and provide labour or services because of financial penalties.
Example: A person manipulated or tricked into working for less money than was offered at the time of recruitment.
3. Debt bondage
Debt bondage is a situation where a person is made to provide labour or services based on a debt they have agreed to. Their service or labour is taken as security or repayment of the debt. The lenders then usually keep the value of the victim’s services so low that they are unable to pay off the debt. The length or nature of their services is not defined either.
Example: A member of a family taking a loan of an amount that is deemed so high that their entire family is bound into working for the lender.
4. Forced marriage
Forced marriages are unions where one person manipulates or uses coercion to make the victim agree to the marriage. It also includes situations where a person forces marriage on someone who is mentally incapable of understanding the nature or effect of marriage. In Australia, no child under 16 can legally agree to a marriage.
Example: An underage person forced into marriage to a relatively old person.
5. Human trafficking
Human trafficking is the situation where people are recruited, harboured, or moved by coercion, threats, deception, abduction, or fraud for the sole aim of exploitation. Under Australian law, trafficking can happen across borders or within Australia. The victims are often forced into slavery at the end of the trafficking journey.
Example: People are forcefully migrated from one country to another for cheap labour.
6. Forced labour
Forced labour is where a person is forced to provide labour or services at previously known/unknown places and for an indefinite period of time. The victims stay in such an arrangement because they believe they are not free to leave or they will be subjected to harsh treatment from their oppressors.
Example: Illegally hiring people from disadvantaged backgrounds and forcing them to work for free.
7. Servitude
These are cases where a person is deprived of liberty in their personal life outside of work. The victims feel incapable of moving out of this arrangement of service because of the fear of threats, deception, or coercion.
Example: A person needs to ask the authority when and whether they are allowed to eat, sleep or perform any such activity.
8. Slavery
Slavery is a situation when a person deems themselves superior and holds the power of ownership over the victim. The superior person often also treats the victim as an object of purchase and use their labour in an unrestricted way.
Example: Employing a person for labour and services and treating them as a commodity.
Types of Modern Slavery at a Glance
This table sums up each type using the Australian Government’s modern slavery definitions, with an example of how it could appear in or around a workplace:
| Type | What it means | How it could appear at work |
|---|---|---|
| Human trafficking | Moving someone across or within borders through coercion, threats or lies so they can be exploited | A worker brought in by a third party who controls their travel, housing and documents |
| Slavery | Treating a person like property that can be used, bought, sold or traded | A person who is never paid and is treated as owned by an employer or family |
| Servitude | Making someone feel they cannot stop working or leave, and denying other personal freedoms | A live-in worker who needs permission to eat, sleep or leave the house |
| Forced labour | Using coercion so someone feels they cannot stop working or leave their place of work | Threats of deportation or violence if a worker complains or tries to quit |
| Forced marriage | A marriage entered without free and full consent | A colleague who suddenly talks about an overseas trip they are afraid of, or a planned marriage they did not choose |
| Debt bondage | Working to repay a debt that is excessive or may never be paid off | Recruitment or visa fees deducted from wages so the debt keeps growing |
| Deceptive recruiting | Using tricks or lies to recruit someone into exploitative work | A job that turns out to have different pay, hours or duties from what was offered |
| Worst forms of child labour | Children in slavery-like practices, hazardous work, sexual exploitation or illegal activities | Children doing dangerous work in a supplier’s factory or farm |
The types often overlap. A person who was deceptively recruited may also be in debt bondage or forced labour, and a person does not need to know which type they are experiencing to get help.
How Often Each Type of Modern Slavery Is Reported in Australia
The Australian Federal Police received 420 reports of human trafficking and modern slavery in 2024-25, the highest on record and an average of about one a day. The most reported types were:
- Forced marriage: 118 reports, up from 91 the year before
- Sexual servitude: 84 reports
- Exit trafficking: 75 reports, more than double the year before
- Forced labour: 42 reports
- Child trafficking: 36 reports
Reports are only part of the picture. Many people do not realise they are victims under Australian law, or are too afraid to speak up.
Signs That Someone at Work May Be Affected
The signs vary by type, but the AFP points to some common themes. Watch for a worker who:
- is subjected to violence or threats of violence
- does not have access to, or control of, their earnings or identity documents
- cannot communicate freely with others
- shows signs of fear or anxiety, especially around a particular person
For a fuller list and how to build a culture where these signs get noticed, see our guide to modern slavery warning signs.
How to Report Suspected Modern Slavery
Do not confront the person you suspect. If it is safe, speak privately with the worker and follow your organisation’s reporting process. Then use the right channel:
- Emergency: call Triple Zero (000) if someone is in immediate danger.
- Australian Federal Police: call 131 AFP (131 237) or use the AFP’s confidential online form.
- Support without going to police: the Additional Referral Pathway (1800 000 277, business hours) connects people to the Red Cross Support for Trafficked People Program, and the Forced Marriage Specialist Support Program can be reached on 1800 403 213.
How Do You Safeguard Your Workforce?
To safeguard your workforce against modern slavery, the best method is to spread as much awareness as possible. Your employees must know what modern slavery is and how it is practised. This is the first step towards identifying it in the real world, and the way you deliver this information is through compliance training.
The next step is to guide them on how to report an incident of modern slavery when required. Developing and implementing a well-designed governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) plan can include and address all these concerns.
What Does Sentrient Offer?
Sentrient takes the pain out of workplace compliance obligations and offers workplace compliance management solutions that help businesses across Australia. Our online modern slavery awareness training course will help your employees learn all the details about modern slavery and what actions to take when faced with it. Our system and online courses are simple to implement and navigate and do not require any prior knowledge.
Conclusion
All types of modern slavery result from the malicious intentions of exploiting other people for personal gains. Disregarding their freedom or fundamental rights, people from weak social or financial status are forced into slavery by powerful and influential people. This mistreatment of people is present in every industry, and therefore, every employer has good reason to help employees recognise it.
Sentrient’s workplace compliance courses help your employees learn the code of conduct, equal employment opportunity, modern slavery, and other such workplace compliance standards. You might want to call us today for more information and view a free demo.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Types of Modern Slavery
1. How many types of modern slavery are there in Australia?
There are 8: human trafficking, slavery, servitude, forced labour, forced marriage, debt bondage, deceptive recruiting for labour or services, and the worst forms of child labour. All are serious crimes under Australian law.
2. What is the most reported type of modern slavery in Australia?
Forced marriage. It accounted for 118 of the 420 human trafficking and modern slavery reports the Australian Federal Police received in 2024-25, followed by sexual servitude and exit trafficking.
3. Is human trafficking the same as modern slavery?
No. Human trafficking is one type of modern slavery. It involves moving a person, across or within borders, through coercion, threats or deception so they can be exploited. Modern slavery also covers practices such as forced labour and debt bondage, which can happen without anyone being moved.
4. Can modern slavery happen in Australian workplaces?
Yes. The AFP says these crimes happen in Australian communities, workplaces and schools, across many industries and in private homes. In January 2024, for example, a Melbourne man was jailed for forced labour after making a worker do 14-hour days for two years under threats of deportation.
5. How do you report suspected modern slavery in Australia?
Call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Otherwise, contact the Australian Federal Police on 131 237 or through its confidential online form. People who do not want to go to police first can contact the Additional Referral Pathway on 1800 000 277.
Sources
Australian Government, Types of modern slavery
Australian Federal Police, Human trafficking and slavery
Last reviewed: October 2026
This article is general information, not legal advice.
