Strengthening the Modern Slavery Act (MSA) 2018 (Cth) - Australian Attorney-General's Department (AGD) - September 2025
Overview
The Salvation Army’s submission to the Attorney-General’s Department review of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) in September 2025, emphasises that ending modern slavery and delivering meaningful outcomes for victim-survivors must remain at the center. Drawing on our extensive frontline experience and role as a reporting entity, The Salvation Army calls for legislative changes that embed responsibility such that reporting entities cannot treat engagement as purely compliance-based. We identify a need to ensure reforms foster meaningful action to end modern slavery. The submission recommends enhancing mandatory reporting requirements and strengthening robust compliance and enforcement mechanisms. We also highlight the importance of education, incentives, and inclusive practices to improve outcomes for those affected.
Key Points
- Ending modern slavery and exploitation must remain the central purpose of legislative reform.
- Victim-survivors should be actively involved in shaping policy and legislative decisions.
- Mandatory reporting criteria should be more prescriptive to reduce ambiguity and improve comparability.
- Entities must demonstrate year-on-year improvement in supply chain transparency.
- Businesses should report on and provide access to credible, external grievance mechanisms.
- Civil penalties should be introduced for non-compliance, with funds directed to a National Compensation Scheme.
- Enforcement should be managed by a well-resourced Attorney-General’s Department.
- Government should implement reward-based strategies such as public recognition and accreditation to promote encourage ethical practices.
- Increased support is needed for entities with limited capacity to comply.
- Education campaigns should target all levels of business to raise awareness of modern slavery risks.
- The submission includes 14 detailed recommendations aimed at strengthening the Act and improving protections.