World Day Against Child Labour

World Day Against Child Labour History

World Day Against Child Labour is an international observance aimed at raising awareness and encouraging actions to address the global issue of child labour. Established by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the day highlights the plight of millions of children being forced to work all over the world, often in dangerous and harmful conditions. It encourages worldwide proactivity, bringing governments, social groups, and individuals together to create and promote strategies to improve their lives and restore their rights as children.

Originally launched in 2002 by the ILO, World Day Against Child Labour serves as a fundamental reminder of the organisation's goal to eliminate child labour in all its forms by 2025. While the prevalence of child labour may not appear significant in Australia, the country is not immune to the issue, with some children still being subjected to exploitation or falling victims to illegal employment practices. Moreover, Australian consumers have a significant global impact, as the goods produced by child labour, such as clothing, food, and electronics, are imported and consumed by the Australian market. This interconnectedness makes it essential for Australians to be aware, engaged, and active in the fight against child labour.

On World Day Against Child Labour various activities tailored to educate and inspire change are held across the nation. These can include panel discussions, educational seminars, fundraisers, and social media campaigns to raise awareness about the issue and emphasise Australian consumers' responsibility. By actively participating in the observance, Australians can contribute to international efforts in eradicating child labour and create a positive change for the millions of vulnerable children worldwide. The World Day Against Child Labour is observed annually on June 12th.

Top 7 Facts for 2026 World Day Against Child Labour in Australia

• The 2026 global theme for World Day Against Child Labour is Red Card to Child Labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults, focusing on the urgent need to address the root causes of child exploitation through improved social protection and better livelihoods for families.
• Australia is currently at a legislative crossroads following the 2026 position paper from the Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner, which recommends introducing mandatory risk-based due diligence to the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) to prevent child and forced labour in global supply chains.
• A significant area of concern for Australian consumers is the fashion industry, highlighted by the report Unravelling Exploitation – Exposing the Need for Responsible Business Laws in Fashion Supply Chains, which reveals systemic child labour risks within the garment supply chains of several major brands.
• The Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, held in Morocco earlier this year, formally acknowledged that the world failed to meet the Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, which aimed to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2025.
• Australians can actively assess the ethics of their household purchases through the latest Chocolate Scorecard, a resource produced by Be Slavery Free that ranks global confectionery companies on their efforts to eliminate child labour in cocoa harvesting.
• In the creative sector, a landmark report from the Creative Workplaces Survey is expected to be released this June, providing the first comprehensive national picture of safety and working conditions in Australia's arts and culture industries.
• The Marrakech Global Framework for Action against Child Labour now serves as the primary international roadmap for 2026, pushing for integrated responses that prioritize universal access to quality education as a primary tool to prevent children from entering the workforce.

In the News and Trending in Australia for World Day Against Child Labour

Top things to do in Australia for World Day Against Child Labour

• Learn how you can get involved and help end child labor.
• Donate to reputable charities working to end child labor. Some examples include the Global March Against Child Labor and the Stop Child Labor Coalition.
• Watch a documentary to learn more about the history of child labour in Australia. Here are our top picks:
  1. The Colony (2015)- This Australian documentary explores the issue of child labor in Australia during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The film focuses on the experiences of children who worked in various industries, including agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
  2. The Cardboard Cloud (2018)- This short film tells the story of Australian children who were forced to work in harsh conditions during the Great Depression. The film sheds light on the hardships faced by these children and explores the responses of the Australian government and society to the issue of child labor.
  3. The Forgotten Australians (2004)- This documentary examines the experiences of British child migrants who were brought to Australia as part of a government scheme to increase the country's population. Many of these children experienced abuse and exploitation while working in various institutions in Australia, including orphanages and foster homes.
• Read a book to learn more about the history of child labour in Australia. Here are our suggestions:
  1. Child Labor in Australia: The Regulation of Work Performed by Children by Carolyn Hamilton
  2. A concise history of child labor in Australia by Cyril Pearl
  3. Child Labour in Australia: Past and Present by Joy Damousi, Colin Krechmer and Gary Neville