By Eleni Aholelei

SYDNEY — Migrant workers across regional New South Wales are being systematically exploited under Australia’s temporary labour programs, with some suffering sexual assault, wage theft, and even re-trafficking. This was the stark reality laid bare during the first public hearing of the NSW Parliament’s Modern Slavery Committee on 30 April 2025.

Dr James Cockayne, the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner, opened proceedings with a harrowing account of modern slavery in Australia’s supply chains. He described how migrant workers, particularly those under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, are trapped in cycles of debt and abuse due to deceptive recruitment, exploitative employers, and insufficient regulatory oversight.

“Our systems are failing to recognise and respond to modern slavery risks. These risks often begin not in the workplace, but in recruitment, accommodation, or in failures by the justice system,” Dr Cockayne told the Committee.

One case detailed by Dr Cockayne involved “Malita,” a woman from a Pacific Island nation who arrived under the PALM scheme and was placed in remote accommodation with ten men. After being sexually assaulted by her labour hire supervisor and threatened with deportation, Malita fled. The only official response she received was an offer to continue work with the same employer—without any information about her rights or protections.

In another case, “David,” a student visa holder, was trafficked into bonded labour and isolated in a factory. He eventually regained freedom through community support and legal aid but only after months of fear and abuse.

Gaps in Law and Enforcement

Dr Cockayne criticised a fragmented system in which federal and state jurisdictions fail to coordinate. While federal agencies control visas and immigration, workplace regulation and health standards fall to the states. This gap allows exploitation to flourish, especially in the unregulated labour hire industry.

Sophia Kagan, Principal Policy Adviser in the Office of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner, added that many workers “live and work under conditions that wouldn’t be tolerated for permanent residents.” She cited housing scams, deceptive contracts, and isolation as everyday realities for thousands of vulnerable migrants.

“The risks are systemic, predictable, and avoidable,” Kagan said. “We need mandatory anti-slavery training, regional support hubs, and urgent labour hire regulation.”

Legal Advocates Call for Urgent Action

Community legal services echoed these concerns, detailing cases involving underpayment, coercion, and employer-controlled housing. Legal representatives from the Redfern Legal Centre, Kingsford Legal Centre, and the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) called for immediate investment in legal aid, housing support, and culturally competent services.

“We have clients sleeping at their workplace, working 50-hour weeks, and being told not to report injuries,” said Tess Deegan from Kingsford Legal Centre. “Many are terrified of losing their visa or being deported if they speak up.”

They also highlighted a need for better data collection and greater support in rural areas, where community legal services are often overstretched or absent.