Human trafficking is a global public health issue, prevalent in Australia. Our study aimed
to gain in-depth understanding of human trafficking and related service provision from a
range of sectors, from the perspective of service providers. Adopting a qualitative
descriptive approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 13 service
providers from a range of organisations across three Australian states. Service providers
emphasised the challenges posed by Australia’s predominately criminal justice approach to
trafficking, in both policy and service provision, with some suggesting the current process is
re-traumatising. Results support refocusing policy and services away from a criminal justice
response to a more comprehensive and holistic response that includes greater recognition of
the social determinants of health and the provision of tailored services. This requires increased
collaboration between service providers, some of whom have very different agendas. The
findings provide support for recommendations with the Australian government inquiry into
modern-day slavery and therefore have important implications for policy and health services
nationally to become more holistic in responding to human trafficking.