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ARTICLE · 31 AUGUST 2025

Modern Slavery Act reform: government begins consultation

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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Proposed reforms include penalties for non-compliance, a suite of enforcement powers, new and revised reporting criteria, changes to joint reporting, with targeted consultation in respect of mandatory due diligence and high risk matter declarations.

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Heidi Roberts
Heidi Roberts
Georgia Smith
Georgia Smith
Lex Hodgkinson
Lex Hodgkinson
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The federal government is consulting on reforms to strengthen theModern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) (the Act). Proposed reforms include penalties for non-compliance, a suite of enforcement powers, new and revised reporting criteria, changes to joint reporting, with targeted consultation in respect of mandatory due diligence and high risk matter declarations.

Following consultation, the government will progress legislative reforms. Reporting entities should consider whether they are prepared to comply with the proposed changes in anticipation of a stronger compliance and enforcement regime.

This consultation represents the first phase of the government's approach to strengthening the Act, and follows its response to the 2023 statutory review recommendations. The government is progressing consultations in two streams:

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