Modern slavery statement support under the UK and Australian Modern Slavery Acts.

What it is

What are the UK and Australian Modern Slavery Acts?

In the UK, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 includes a transparency in supply chains duty, supported by the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Transparency in Supply Chains) Regulations 2015 and by statutory guidance on GOV.UK. Organisations within scope publish an annual modern slavery statement, and the UK government runs an online registry for statements.

In Australia, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) sets a reporting requirement for entities within scope. The Attorney-General's Department publishes information on the Act, and statements appear on the Australian Government's Modern Slavery Register. Whether either Act applies to your organisation, and what exactly it requires, is a question for your lawyers.

Current status. The Australian Act has been through a statutory review, reported in 2023, and the Attorney-General's Department consulted on strengthening it in July 2025. Check the current position with the official sources before you prepare this year's statement.

Who it is for

Who needs a modern slavery statement?

Each Act sets its own scope, and your lawyers confirm whether you are in it. Organisations come to Sterling from four starting points:

• You are, or may be, a reporting entity. Your organisation falls within the UK or Australian scope, or is close to it, and needs a statement backed by real work.
• A customer asks for your statement. Buyers who report under the Acts ask their suppliers for statements, questionnaires and evidence.
• Public-sector tenders ask about it. UK central government has procurement guidance on tackling modern slavery in its supply chains, and bidders are asked how they manage the risk.
• Last year's statement was thin. The statement described policies but little action, and leadership wants the next one to show progress.

A statement is only as good as the work behind it. That work is what we help you do.

Requirements

What do the Modern Slavery Acts require?

Each Act and its official guidance set out what a statement must or should cover; Sterling does not restate those obligations or give legal advice. The list below is what Sterling's work covers to give your statement substance.

• Structure and supply chains: a clear map of your operations and suppliers, by country and category.
• Risk assessment: where modern slavery risks are higher across operations and suppliers.
• Policies and due diligence: supplier codes, contract terms, questionnaires and follow-up for higher-risk suppliers.
• Training: awareness for staff, buyers and managers, with records.
• Effectiveness and evidence: indicators and records that show what was done and whether it worked.

Your engagement

What your Modern Slavery Act engagement includes

One team takes you from a first risk picture to a statement backed by evidence, under one all-inclusive proposal.

• Scope, gap assessment and plan

  Against the official guidance for the Acts that apply to you, with owners and dates.

• Risk assessment and supplier mapping

  Operations and suppliers ranked by modern slavery risk.

• Effivity ISO & GRC software

  Suppliers, assessments, actions and training in one workspace, included with the engagement at no additional cost.

• Training for buyers and staff

  Awareness for everyone, with preferential Sterling Academy access, including complimentary awareness training for your people as part of the engagement.

• Supplier due diligence support

  Questionnaires, follow-up and corrective actions for higher-risk suppliers.

• Statement preparation support

  The facts, evidence and structure your team and lawyers need to finalise the statement.

No certificate exists under either Act. Sterling does not give legal advice; your organisation and its lawyers own the statement.

Often combined with

Standards organisations pair with Modern Slavery Acts (UK / Australia)

• amfori BSCIamfori BSCI audit preparation for producers: gap assessment across the 13 performance areas, remediation, worker-facing evidence and support from Sterling.
• CSDDDCSDDD compliance and requirements after Omnibus I: scoping, risk-based due diligence, complaints, monitoring and the 2029 start, delivered in one all-inclusive proposal.
• FairtradeFairtrade certification and requirements: which Fairtrade International standards apply, FLOCERT's audit, cost and timing, and how Sterling prepares you.
• ISO 26000ISO 26000 social responsibility consulting: apply its seven core subjects in your decisions and reporting.
• ISO 30415ISO 30415 diversity and inclusion guidance applied in your organisation: gap assessment, policies, HR processes, measures and training.
• ISO 45003ISO 45003 psychosocial risk consulting: manage work-related stress and wellbeing within your ISO 45001 system.