Volunteering Tasmania is committed to identifying, preventing and addressing modern slavery risks across the volunteering ecosystem. Modern slavery, including forced labour, human trafficking, and exploitation, can exist in supply chains, service delivery, and community interactions. As a peak body for Volunteering in Tasmania, we play a critical role in promoting ethical practices, strengthening governance, and building industry capability to recognise and respond to risks.
Importantly, volunteering itself is a powerful prevention mechanism. Inclusive, well-managed volunteering programs can reduce social isolation, build community connections, and increase awareness of rights, factors that help protect individuals from exploitation. Volunteers often serve as trusted community members, able to recognise early warning signs of abuse and connect people with support services. By strengthening volunteer capability through training and safeguarding practices, organisations are supporting people who are currently experiencing, or who are survivors of, modern slavery.
Volunteering Tasmania is dedicated to continuous improvement, collaboration, and industry leadership in this space. By working together, the volunteering industry can both minimise its own risks and actively contribute to the prevention of modern slavery, creating safer, more resilient communities across Tasmania.
Provided below are two practical guidance tools to help organisations reflect upon, and embed due diligence, strengthen policies, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
Resources and Tools
Modern Slavery Statement Guidance note for VIOs
Modern Slavery Risk Assessment Framework for Volunteer Involving Organisations
Links for further information
Information presented in this resource was developed based upon information from the following sites. Further information for your organisation to learn more on Modern Slavery can be found at:
Note
Volunteering Tasmania provides a Modern Slavery Risk Assessment Framework for Volunteer Involving Organisations as a suggested reference tool only. It is offered to support your organisation’s thinking and planning, and does not constitute legal advice or a mandatory compliance framework. Each organisation should review the guide and determine its relevance and applicability to its own circumstances, obligations, and risk environment.