We believe Australia can play a stronger role in combating slavery in our region.
The Australian International Counter-Slavery Alliance is made up of Australia’s leading international counter-slavery organisations. For years, our members have been working to combat all forms of modern slavery.
With the right partnerships, we believe we can shape policies and investments that don’t just acknowledge slavery—but actively dismantle it.
Our foundational principle
Freedom from slavery is the birthright of every human being.
Our Members
A21
Australia
A global anti-trafficking organization operating in 14 countries, partnering with Hagar in Cambodia to provide foster care for trafficked children.
Eden
Australia
Empowers survivors of human trafficking by providing dignified employment through jewelry-making, fostering self-sufficiency and long-term stability.
Bloom
Asia
Provides healing, hope, and purpose to survivors of sex trafficking in the Asia-Pacific region.
Global
Counter-Trafficking Group
Creating resilient counter-trafficking systems that protect people from exploitation.
Blue Dragon
Childrens’
Foundation
Works to end human trafficking and provide support to children in crisis.
Hagar
Australia
Supports individuals affected by trafficking, slavery, exploitation, and abuse, providing comprehensive recovery services.
Destiny
Rescue
Australia
Rescues children from human trafficking and sexual exploitation, equipping them to stay free.
International
Justice Mission (IJM) Australia
Partners with local justice systems worldwide to build safe communities, rescue and restore victims, and bring criminals to justice.
Where we work
Combined, the agencies of AICSA work to counter slavery across at least 13 countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, The Philippines, Nepal, India, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Why we exist
Slavery is growing.
Nearly 50 million people are trapped in forced labour, trafficking, and exploitation—more than ever before.
Over half of all victims are in the Asia-Pacific.
From factories and fishing fleets to online child exploitation and forced criminality, slavery is evolving faster than efforts to stop it.
Australia is beyond a bystander.
Australians are among the highest offenders in online child exploitation, driving demand for abuse that is live-streamed from the Asia-Pacific. Our citizens are being scammed by trafficking networks, unknowingly funding organised crime. Our businesses and consumers import US$17.4 billion products at risk of being made using forced labour every year.
Australia’s response to modern slavery remains too far removed from the frontlines.
We advocate for a people-centred approach to counter slavery.
Meaningful survivor leader engagement.
Stronger connection to civil society leaders in the region.
Investment into direct interventions.
Coordination between the Australian government and leaders on the ground.
Our Theory of Change
Our recommendations
to the Australian Government
Following a Virtual Expert Roundtable, and in direct collaboration with lived experience advisors, AICSA puts forward the following key recommendations to the Australian Government and all 2025 Federal Election candidates.
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Australia currently invests around AUD 24 million through international aid to support counter slavery initiatives. This represents just 0.5 per cent of the overall aid budget. Doubling this investment would enable more support for community based responses, strengthen protections for workers and improve outcomes for survivors.
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There is currently no structured way for survivors outside Australia to advise on Australia’s international response. A formal advisory platform would help ensure policies and programmes are grounded in lived experience and reflect what is needed on the ground.
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While corporate transparency through the Modern Slavery Act remains important, Australia should also work directly with regional governments to improve protections for workers and communities. Collaboration with civil society and survivor led groups is essential to ensure long term impact.
Read our joint statement to the Australian Government for the 2025 Federal Election.
Get in touch.
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