Courses to Combat Modern Slavery
‘Educating for Change’: Free National Short Courses to Combat Modern Slavery
ACRATH | Flinders University | University of South Australia
A new national short course series is now live and free, equipping university students and staff with the tools to recognise and respond to modern slavery in Australia.
Developed in partnership by ACRATH, Flinders University and the University of South Australia, Educating for Change includes six online modules designed to build essential awareness and practical knowledge among pre-service professionals in law / criminology, health, social work, and education.
Modern slavery affects an estimated 41,000 people in Australia daily*, taking forms such as forced labour, forced marriage, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. These crimes often go unnoticed in everyday settings—including schools, hospitals, law firms, and universities.
Already, 14 universities nationwide have begun implementing the course, with academics at a further 29 institutions actively exploring adoption.
The program also supports university staff in recognising risks within their institutions and supply chains, aligning with obligations under the Modern Slavery Act (2018).
Developed with support from a grant by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and reviewed by experts including the Australian Red Cross and Anti-Slavery Australia, the modules combine academic rigour with real-world case studies for maximum impact.
Register today and help lead the next generation in tackling modern slavery:
https://acrath.org.au/resources/educating-for-change
Once registered, our team will support your implementation process.
Attributable quotes:
Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans
‘I think this project is really worthwhile. I hope universities throughout Australia take it up and I think it will help make a difference in years to come.’
Professor Marinella Marmo, Flinders University
‘By equipping future professionals across sectors, we are embedding vital knowledge that will travel with them into every corner of Australia. These early career professionals will become modern slavery hampions in law firms, hospitals, schools, and beyond.’
Dr Nerida Chazal, University of South Australia
‘Universities must lead by example. These modules help institutions meet their legal obligations under the Modern Slavery Act and empower staff and students to identify exploitation and act responsibly.’
Melissa Halliday, ACRATH
‘Through this work, we hope to foster a more informed, responsive, and compassionate approach to modern slavery in Australia—strengthening support systems, deepening cross-sector collaboration, and driving real-world change.’
University of South Australia student, who undertook a pilot of one of the modules in
October 2024:
‘This course changed my perspective. I used to think slavery was only physical and violent. Now I understand how social conditions create vulnerability to exploitation.’
Educating for Change is a collaboration between ACRATH, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. It was funded by the Australian Government through the Community Crime Prevention Program: National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020-25 Grant Program Round 2. The views expressed in this module are the authors’ and contributors’ alone and are not necessarily the views of the Australian Government.
*Walk Free Global Slavery Index
For media enquiries, contact:
Melissa Halliday
Community Development Project Coordinator, ACRATH
awareness@acrath.org.au
0433261100
Professor Marinella Marmo,
Professor in Criminology, Flinders University
Marinella.marmo@flinders.edu.au
0432 954122
Dr Nerida Chazal,
Senior Lecturer in Criminology, University of South Australia
nerida.chazal@unisa.edu.au
0450 092812
