We are pleased to present this eighth report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Human Trafficking and Slavery. This report details the important work of Australian Government agencies and their partners during 2015–16 to address the scourge of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices both within Australia and our region.

Although identified instances of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, such as servitude, forced labour, debt bondage and forced marriage, remain relatively rare in Australia, any instance of crimes of this nature is unacceptable. These crimes reduce human beings to mere commodities to be traded or exploited for personal gain, either material or otherwise, and are amongst the most egregious of crimes contained in the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) (Criminal Code).