The NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner has written to law enforcement agencies alleging that farm labour hire firms in the Coffs Harbour-Nambucca Valley region may be engaging in practices that amount to modern slavery.
In a statement, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis said the alleged practices could place working holiday makers, international students, workers under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, and local stakeholders at risk.
“SafeWork NSW has conducted a number of unannounced inspections of berry farms across the region and will continue these proactive compliance activities,” said the Minister.
Potential offences under the NSW Modern Slavery Act 2018 include extreme underpayment, debt bondage, substandard housing and coercive control. This may involve workers being charged excessive costs for visas, travel or other expenses, having passports confiscated, working excessive hours without required breaks, or being threatened with deportation.
Evidence that labour hire firms are engaging in these practices would constitute serious offences under both NSW legislation and the Commonwealth Fair Work Act.
“The NSW Government supports the introduction of a nationally consistent labour hire licensing scheme and is continuing to progress reforms to strengthen protections for workers in New South Wales. This includes developing a Labour Hire Code of Practice and strengthening compliance through a supply chain assurance program on NSW Government construction projects,” said Minister Cotsis.
“The Minns Labor Government has no tolerance for unsafe workplace practices, and any intelligence suggesting workers may be exploited will be pursued under the Modern Slavery Act 2018.”
Through amendments to the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 which came into effect in July, SafeWork NSW is able to enter into formal information sharing arrangements with prescribed Commonwealth regulators and law enforcement agencies. The amendments strengthen interagency collaboration and will enable more effective regulatory oversight.
The National Policing Protocol to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery seeks to provide a national framework for police services to combat all forms of human trafficking and slavery and formalises the AFP as the primary law enforcement agency with responsibility for investigation and prosecution of human trafficking and modern slavery offences.
The AFP investigates human trafficking and modern slavery under the Criminal Code (Cth)
To access advice, support or assistance relating to a possible case of modern slavery, visit the Anti-slavery Commissioner’s webpage.
