New South Wales Launches Guide for Healthcare Workers to Identify Modern Slavery Victims

On October 19, 2026, the Office of the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner (OASC) launched "Understanding modern slavery in healthcare settings: An introduction for NSW healthcare workers" in Dubbo, New South Wales[1][10][11]. This guide provides healthcare providers, including General Practitioners, with tools to identify and support an estimated 16,400 individuals in modern slavery within New South Wales[1][6][10][21].

This guide is important because international research shows that approximately 68% of human trafficking victims access healthcare at least once during their exploitation[1][10][16][17]. Equipping healthcare professionals to recognize the signs of modern slavery offers a critical opportunity for earlier intervention and assistance for those trapped in exploitative situations[1][10].

What the records show

The new guide, "Understanding modern slavery in healthcare settings," is part of the "It's Healthy to Fight Modern Slavery" initiative[1][10][11]. The resource teaches healthcare workers to recognize modern slavery indicators and respond using a six-step framework: "recognise, respond, educate, empower, refer, and follow up"[1][10][11]. This framework includes trauma-informed questioning and referral pathways[6][10]. Estimates suggest around 41,000 individuals are in modern slavery nationally in Australia, with 16,400 in New South Wales[1][6][10][13][15][21]. The guide is an educational tool and not a mandatory reporting requirement or policy directive[6][10]. Commissioner James Cockayne indicated the resource could be adopted more broadly than New South Wales[6][10].

The timeline

The "It's Healthy to Fight Modern Slavery" initiative, which developed this guide, began in 2024[10][11]. In September 2024, NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner James Cockayne released a report, "Be Our Guests," which estimated 16,400 people were in modern slavery in NSW, highlighting risks for temporary migrant workers[21].

What changed and for whom

Since the "It's Healthy to Fight Modern Slavery" initiative started in 2024, the Office of the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner has seen an increase in modern slavery reports from healthcare settings[10]. This suggests improved awareness and potential for earlier interventions among healthcare professionals[10]. The resource was developed with input from victim-survivors, healthcare professionals, educators, and various organizations[11].

What the subject has said publicly

NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner James Cockayne stated that modern slavery is often hidden through "manipulation, coercion, often under the cover of a contract" rather than physical restraint[6]. He explained that launching the resource in Dubbo acknowledged the integral role regional health and community services play in identifying exploitation, due to their strong community connections and trust[10]. Jennifer Neil of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) noted that modern slavery is a health issue, leading to physical injuries, mental health conditions, and chronic pain[6].

What we could not confirm

The specific number or percentage of the increase in modern slavery reports from healthcare settings since the initiative began is not detailed in the available records[10]. The exact number of victim-survivors who directly contributed to the guide's development is not specified[11]. There is no confirmation of the guide's implementation outside of New South Wales[6].