The AFP has recorded a rise in the number of forced labour and exploitation reports as criminal networks recruit offshore workers using deceptive recruitment tactics to traffic them into Australia.
As part of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 2 December, 2024, the AFP is highlighting how criminal networks target vulnerable individuals looking for work in Australia and use deceptive methods to recruit and exploit them into forced labour, exploitation, and debt bondage - crimes that are forms of human trafficking.
Since 2018, the AFP has received 247 reports relating to forced labour and exploitation - with reports of the crime increasing almost 140 per cent in the past six years.*
Forced labour is when people are coerced, threatened or deceived into working against their will because they do not consider they are free to stop work, or leave their place of employment.
Signs a person may be a victim include acts of physical and psychological abuse, poor working conditions and being in debt bondage - when a victim believes they have a large debt owing to their employer and must work to pay it off.
A Templestowe man was sentenced to three years and six months' imprisonment for forced labour offences in January, 2024, after coercing a victim to work 14-hour days for two consecutive years under threats of deportation.
The victim started employment at a Box Hill confectionery business in 2015, where he was forced by the owner to work 14-hour shifts without any breaks.
Victims deceived into forced labour are often subjected to gruelling conditions such as excessive work hours without breaks, water and sleep deprivation, threats to life or threats of sexual assault, restricted communication, and physical punishments.
Many victims are denied payment and access to contracts, their own visas, passports or personal documentation.
The AFP also identified increasing forced labour within the maritime industry after a Darwin man was charged for allegedly recruiting crew to work on his fishing boat through deceptive online advertisements and holding them against their will in December, 2023. The man has been charged with a total of 44 human trafficking type offences, and the matter is currently before the court.
AFP Human Exploitation Commander Helen Schneider said victims of human trafficking were treated as commodities by organised criminal groups and were subjected to degrading conditions for exploitation and profit.
"Criminal syndicates will use deceptive recruitment tactics to target and force vulnerable individuals into these appalling situations, and trap them into endless cycles of debt, forced labour or domestic servitude," Commander Schneider said.
"The AFP is the lead agency in investigating this crime type and we investigate any reports we receive but we also urge members of the public to be vigilant and alert police to any suspicions of human trafficking offences.
"We understand it can be incredibly difficult for vulnerable people and anyone with information to come forward, but we want to assure them that help, and protection is available. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking or slavery offences, you can make a report to the AFP by calling 131 AFP."
*Reports of forced labour and exploitation received by the AFP between 2018 to 2024 (financial years).
| 2018/19 FY |
2019/20 FY |
2020/21FY |
2021/22 FY |
2022/23 FY |
2023/24 FY |
TOTAL |
| 29 |
29 |
35 |
42 |
43 |
69 |
247 |
Reports of Human Trafficking in 2023- 2024
The AFP received 382 reports of human trafficking related offences in the 2023-2024 financial year.
These reports include:
• 109 reports of human trafficking (inclusive of entry, exit and child trafficking);
• 91 reports of forced marriage;
• 69 reports of forced labour;
• 59 reports of sexual exploitation;
• 21 reports of domestic servitude;
• 10 reports of debt bondage;
• 16 reports of deceptive recruitment;
• Four reports of slavery;
• Two reports of harbouring; and
• One report of organ trafficking.
