Section 270.6A Criminal Code Act 1995
Forced Labour

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Causing a Person to Enter or Remain in Forced Labour is an offence under Section 270.6A(1) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) which carries a maximum penalty of 9 years in prison.

To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:

  1. You engaged in conduct, and
  2. Your conduct caused another person to enter into or remain in forced labour.

‘Forced labour’ is defined as the condition of a person who provides labour or services where due to the use of coercion, threat or deception.

A reasonable person in the person’s position would not consider themselves free:

  1. To cease providing the labour or services, or
  2. To leave the place or area where the labour or services are being provided.

‘Coercion’ includes force, duress, detention, psychological oppression, abuse of power and taking advantage of a person’s vulnerability.

A ‘threat’ includes:

  1. A threat of coercion,
  2. A threat to cause the person’s deportation or removal from Australia, and
  3. A threat of any other detrimental action unless there are reasonable grounds for the threat which are in connection with the provision of the labour or services.

‘Deception’ is where a person is misled as to law or fact including as to the intention of any person whether by words or other conduct.

A condition of forced labour may exist despite the fact that it is possible to physically or otherwise escape from the condition or an attempt has been made to escape.

Duress is a legal defence to the charge.


Conducting a Business Involving Forced Labour is an offence under section 270.6A(2) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) which carries a maximum penalty of 9 years in prison.

To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:

  1. You conducted a business, and
  2. The business involved the forced labour of another person.

‘Conducting a business’ includes:

  1. Taking part in the management of the business,
  2. Exercising control or direction over the business, or
  3. Providing finance for the business.

‘Forced labour’ is defined as the condition of a person who provides labour or services where due to the use of coercion, threat or deception.

A reasonable person in the person’s position would not consider themselves free:

  1. To cease providing the labour or services, or
  2. To leave the place or area where the labour or services are being provided.

‘Coercion’ includes force, duress, detention, psychological oppression, abuse of power and taking advantage of a person’s vulnerability.

A ‘threat’ includes:

  1. A threat of coercion,
  2. A threat to cause the person’s deportation or removal from Australia, and
  3. A threat of any other detrimental action unless there are reasonable grounds for the threat which are in connection with the provision of the labour or services.

‘Deception’ is where a person is misled as to law or fact including as to the intention of any person whether by words or other conduct.

A condition of forced labour may exist despite the fact that it is possible to physically or otherwise escape from the condition or an attempt has been made to escape.

Duress is a legal defence to the charge.

If you require Expert Legal Advice from an Experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer for your Forced Labour matter, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers® today on (02) 9261 8881.

The Legislation

270.6A   Forced labour offences

Causing a person to enter into or remain in forced labour

(1)  A person commits an offence if:

(a)  the person engages in conduct; and

(b)  the conduct causes another person to enter into or remain in forced labour.

Penalty:

(a)  in the case of an aggravated offence (see section 270.8)–imprisonment for 12 years; or

(b)  in any other case–imprisonment for 9 years.

Conducting a business involving forced labour

(2)  A person commits an offence if:

(a)  the person conducts any business; and

(b)  the business involves the forced labour of another person (or persons).

Penalty:

(a)  in the case of an aggravated offence (see section 270.8)–imprisonment for 12 years; or

(b)  in any other case–imprisonment for 9 years.

Note:          On a trial for an offence against section 270.5 (servitude offences), the trier of fact may find a defendant not guilty of that offence but guilty of the corresponding offence under this section (see subsections 270.5(3) and (4)).

Definition of ‘forced labour’

Section 270.6 defines forced labour as follows:

(1)  For the purposes of this Division, forced labour is the condition of a person (the victim ) who provides labour or services if, because of the use of coercion, threat or deception, a reasonable person in the position of the victim would not consider himself or herself to be free:

(a)  to cease providing the labour or services; or

(b)  to leave the place or area where the victim provides the labour or services.

(2)  Subsection (1) applies whether the coercion, threat or deception is used against the victim or another person.

(3)  The victim may be in a condition of forced labour whether or not:

(a)  escape from the condition is practically possible for the victim; or

(b)  the victim has attempted to escape from the condition.

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