The Federal Budget 2026–27, handed down on 12 May 2026 reinforced the Government’s commitment to tackling modern slavery and child sexual exploitation. Ongoing funding directed towards agencies such as the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner and the eSafety Commissioner show a continued focus on delivering a coordinated national response.
The previously announced extension of the Support for Trafficked People Program Additional Referral Pathway to June 2027, is another positive step, recognising the need for trauma-informed and community-based support for victim-survivors.

Together, these efforts demonstrate that Australia is taking meaningful action.
But modern slavery and abuse does not stop at Australia’s borders.

The Asia-Pacific remains one of the regions most affected by labour exploitation, forced migration vulnerabilities and human trafficking.
As exploitation, trafficking, and online abuse continue to escalate across the Asia-Pacific region, Australia’s leadership must continue to extend beyond its borders, even amid times of economic uncertainty.

In Destiny Rescue’s 2026-27 Pre Budget Submission, we highlighted the prevalence of the online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) across the region. OSEC is one of the fastest growing forms of child exploitation globally, one of the most harmful to its victims, and one of the hardest to detect.

Earlier this year our agents in the Philippines worked alongside law enforcement on three separate operations that led to the rescue of 36 victims of human trafficking. Many of those rescued had been exploited by traffickers who advertised them through online catalogues.

With its regional influence and responsibility, Australia’s engagement with, and investment into the region to address the issue of OSEC is more critical than ever.

Destiny Rescue will continue to advocate to the Australian government to:
– strengthen digital safety initiatives to combat online child sexual exploitation;
– strengthen legislation and survival pathways; and
– build national awareness programs centred on OSEC victim and survivor harms.

 Additional reading

•   You can read our PreBudget Submission 2026-27 >here
•   Learn more about our work combating OSEC here.
•   Read stories of our latest rescues here.