The Australian Government will grant almost $400,000 in funding over 2019-20 to non-government organisations (NGOs) working to prevent and deter modern slavery.  

Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, Jason Wood, said specialist NGOs will be able to use the funding to deliver community-based projects that combat the egregious exploitation of individuals in our society, including human trafficking, slavery, forced labour, and forced marriage.

“Modern slavery practices are heinous crimes that involve serious abuses of human rights. Civil society plays a vital role in preventing these crimes and supporting vulnerable victims,” Assistant Minister Wood said.

This funding will build on more than $5.8 million the Government has granted to anti‑slavery NGOs since 2008.

“Previous grants to anti-slavery NGOs have achieved successful outcomes. The Government recognises the critical role these organisations play in identifying and supporting victims, and raising community awareness.”

“This announcement emphasises the Government’s commitment to combating modern slavery in Australia.”

This new funding for NGOs complements the Australian Government’s significant existing commitments to combat modern slavery. This includes the implementation of Australia’s world-leading Modern Slavery Act (the Act) which came into effect on 1 January 2019.

The Act requires over 3,000 of the largest businesses in Australia to report annually on their actions to address modern slavery risks in their global operations and supply chains. Australia is one of only two countries in the world to have enacted national modern slavery legislation.  

More information about Australia’s efforts to combat modern slavery is available on the Department of Home Affairs website at: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/our-portfolios/criminal-justice/people-smuggling-human-trafficking