A Practical Guide for Small Businesses in Interior Design, Fitout, and Furniture Supply
If you’re in the interiors industry then you’re closer to modern slavery than you think.
It’s embedded in the products you specify, hidden in the supply chains you rely on, and too often, it’s ignored.
Since the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 came into effect in 2019, awareness of modern slavery has increased across the building and interiors sector.
Architects, designers, project managers, and clients are asking questions—not just about sustainability or price, but about ethics. And they’re turning to their suppliers—manufacturers, distributors, retailers—to find out: What are you doing to address modern slavery? And do you have a Modern Slavery Statement?
If these questions have left you unsure of where to begin, then this article is for you.
Even if you're not legally required to report under the Modern Slavery Act (Cth), many of your clients are. And increasingly, they expect their suppliers to step up – especially those providing furniture, textiles, fittings, finishes, or design services.
In this article, we’re going to explore what modern slavery is, the key points of the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018, what a modern slavery statement actually is, why it matters and some simple steps to help you get started.
What is Modern Slavery?
Before we get into the details of Modern Slavery Statements, it’s important that we get clear on what modern slavery actually is.
Modern slavery refers to situations where a person’s freedom is taken away, often through coercion, violence, deception, or abuse of power—and they are exploited for profit.
There are eight recognised forms of modern slavery:
Trafficking – moving or harbouring people for exploitation
Slavery – exercising power or ownership over a victim and treating people as a commodity
Servitude – significantly restricting a person’s freedom
Forced labour – forcing a person to work against their will
Forced marriage – using coercion, threats or deception to force a victim into marriage
Bonded labour – working to repay an unpayable debt
Deceptive recruiting – where a victim is deceived about their job and conditions of employment
Worst forms of child labour – work harmful to a child’s safety, morals and development. This includes hazardous and dangerous work.
In the interiors sector, incidents of modern slavery can be found at raw material extraction, factory production, and even labour hire.
And we can’t simply ignore it.
This is why in Australia, large companies are required to adhere to the Modern Slavery Act.
What is the Modern Slavery Act?
The Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) requires companies in Australia with over $100 million in annual consolidated revenue to submit a modern slavery statement each year.
A Modern Slavery Statement outlines what the company has done to assess and address modern slavery risks in its business operations and supply chains.
The statement must be:
Approved by the board (or equivalent)
Signed by a director
Uploaded to the government’s online Modern Slavery Register
Smaller businesses aren’t legally required to report, but they can report voluntarily.
Many are now doing so in response to client demand or industry requirements (e.g., certification schemes like GECA).
It’s important to note that The Act doesn’t require businesses to be “slavery-free.”
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s about transparency, responsibility, meaningful action and continuous improvement.
What is a Modern Slavery Statement?
Let’s clear this up:
A modern slavery statement is not the same as a policy.
A policy says: “Here’s our stance on modern slavery.”
A statement says: “Here’s what we’re actually doing about it.”
If your clients are asking for your Modern Slavery Statement, they’re expecting you to report on the seven mandatory criteria outlined in the The Act.
What are the 7 Mandatory Criteria of the Modern Slavery Act?
| Modern Slavery Act Criteria | What it Means |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify the entity | State your business/trading name |
| 2. Describe your structure, operations & supply chains | Who are you, what do you sell, how and where do you source materials or services? |
| 3. Describe risks of modern slavery | Where could modern slavery be happening in your operations or supplier chain? For example, geographical locations, products, services, sectors and worker types. |
| 4. Describe actions taken | This is asking you to describe your due diligence process, i.e. what has your business done to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for modern slavery risks? What steps have you taken to address your risk, e.g., training, policies, supplier engagement, supplier risk assessments etc.? |
| 5. Assess effectiveness | Monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of your actions is essential to understanding whether your policies, programs, procedures, and training are genuinely being integrated into day-to-day business operations AND having an impact. Ask yourself: Are our actions making a difference to workers in our supply chain? |
| 6. Consult with owned entities | If you own or control other businesses, how are they contributing to your efforts to address modern slavery? You are required to consult with them to ensure they understand their responsibilities and are taking appropriate action to identify and manage modern slavery risks. |
| 7. Other relevant info | Future goals or priorities, lessons learned, case studies |
You can see very clearly that a Modern Slavery Statement is not a one line policy you pop on your website.
It’s a clear commitment to understanding and mitigating the risk of modern slavery in your supply chains.
And it’s something that clients and stakeholders are starting to expect.
Expert Tip
Even if you're not yet ready to write a full statement, just starting to map your supply chain or talking to suppliers is a huge first step.
What do clients and stakeholders expect?
Even if you’re not required to report under the mandatory reporting threshold required by The Act, you might still be getting these questions:
“Do you have a modern slavery statement?”
“Have you mapped your supply chain?”
“What steps have you taken to reduce labour exploitation in your supply chain?”
These questions are showing up consistently in:
Prequalification documents
Supplier onboarding forms
Government and university tenders
Sustainability certifications (e.g., GECA)
This is because forward-thinking clients want to work with suppliers who take this seriously, even if they’re a small business.
And increasingly, those clients need you to demonstrate action so they can meet their own reporting obligations.
Why Addressing Modern Slavery Matters More Than Ever
There are an estimated 49.6 million people trapped in modern slavery around the world today.
The interiors sector is not immune. From the extraction of raw materials to the sewing of upholstery fabrics, the true cost is often carried by vulnerable workers, concealed by low prices and lengthy supply chains.
And here's where your business can make a difference.
By asking questions, setting expectations with your suppliers, and being transparent with clients, you contribute to an industry where dignity, ethics, and transparency matter.
Every conversation matters. Every improvement matters.
And that’s why it’s so important to get things started with a Modern Slavery Statement for your business.
5 Simple Steps for Getting Started with your Modern Slavery Statement
Not sure where to begin?
Start small.
Here’s 5 simple things you can do right now to start understanding the modern slavery risk in your supply chain -
1. Map your supply chain
What products and services do you procure? Where do they come from? Are they from high-risk regions, sectors etc.?
2. Talk to your suppliers
Ask what steps they are taking to address modern slavery and labour exploitation in their supply chains?
3. Document your actions
Keep a record of policies, training, supplier conversations, risks identified.
4. Consider a voluntary Modern Slavery Statement
It shows leadership and can strengthen client trust.
5. Seek support
The issue of Modern Slavery can be complex and overwhelming. But you don’t have to go it alone. I support small businesses to take meaningful, practical steps, no matter your size or starting point.
Taking action on modern slavery isn’t just about compliance.
Taking meaningful action towards ending modern slavery is about more than complying with the Modern Slavery Act.
It’s about leadership, integrity, and choosing to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
As small businesses, you may not always feel like you have the power to create change, but you do.
Every product you choose, every supplier you question, every value you stand behind, these are the building blocks of a more ethical industry.
By stepping up and taking meaningful action, you show your clients and the industry that addressing modern slavery isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Behind every fabric swatch, every piece of joinery, and every finished fit-out, there’s a supply chain—and with it, the risk of exploitation. A Modern Slavery Statement is your chance to acknowledge that risk, take responsibility, and lead with transparency.
You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to start.
If you’d like some support with your Modern Slavery Statement, I can help.
I work with designers, architects, product & material manufacturers and retailers, helping them identify labour exploitation and modern slavery in their supply chains – and take meaningful action to address them.
If you’d like to book a review of your Modern Slavery Statement, organise some training for your organisation, or simply find out how your business can take the first step, reach out to me here.