She came to Australia with the promise of a job, but in reality she ended up being the victim of a sinister trade.

Gloria (not her real name) came to Australia in 2011 from the Philippines, after answering a job advertisement for a live-in housekeeper for a foreign diplomat.

But when she arrived in Canberra to take up her role, she began to get a sense of what was in store.

"Bad, I don't have a bed the first three days, at least I have a carpet," she said of her living conditions.

Despite having a clear employment contract stipulating her work hours, salary and conditions, Gloria says she was made to work seven-days-a-week, often long hours and was not paid a wage.

Key points: Since 2004 the AFP has looked into 380 cases under human trafficking and slavery laws

Since 2004 the AFP has looked into 380 cases under human trafficking and slavery laws 60 per cent of trafficking investigations are linked to the sex industry

60 per cent of trafficking investigations are linked to the sex industry Forced labour occurs in construction, factory work, agriculture and domestic work.

Forced labour occurs in construction, factory work, agriculture and domestic work. This year the Federal Parliament passed tougher laws on slavery

This year the Federal Parliament passed tougher laws on slavery For the first time a separate offence of forced labour has been created

"I was treated like a prisoner," she said.

"I'm not allowed to talk, I'm not allowed to go out, even throwing out the rubbish."

Her passport was taken from her and her movement restricted.

Even on a simple trip to the local shopping centre with her boss's family, Gloria says the wife would escort her and stand guard when she went to the bathroom.

It all came as a horrifying shock to Gloria, who never imagined she could find herself in servitude in the national capital of a country lauded as a beacon of democracy.

"I didn't expect here in Australia that things will happen, because I know in Australia they have strong laws, with human rights," she said.

Police have looked at 380 cases since 2004

But Gloria is not alone - each year the Australian Federal Police (AFP) conducts dozens of investigations into allegations of human trafficking, slavery and labour exploitation.

Since 2004, the AFP has looked into more than 380 cases under human trafficking and slavery laws.

About 60 per cent of trafficking investigations are linked to the sex industry, but police say reports of forced labour in other sectors are on the rise.

Jennifer Burn from Anti-Slavery Australia at the University of Technology, says forced labour occurs across a range of industries including construction, factory work, agriculture and domestic work.

"We know that Australia is a destination country for men and women from the Asia Pacific region," she said.

"So particularly to date from Malaysia, China, the Republic of Korea and the Philippines, so it's a global problem, Australia is not immune."

Fiona David of the organisation Walk Free, says people who are vulnerable, like those on temporary visas, are most likely to be exploited.

"We're not talking about cases where people are just being badly paid or they just don't like their jobs," she said.

"We're talking about cases where the exploitation is so severe that it is proper to use terms like slavery."

New laws provide greater protection to exploited

Earlier this year Federal Parliament passed tougher laws on slavery and for the first time a separate offence of forced labour was created.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says broadening the scope of the laws should make it easier to investigate and prosecute.

"To make it clear that any conduct which is forcing someone into a slavery like situation which might include deception and including in that forcing someone into unfair debt contracts ... we wanted to make sure that was unlawful," he said.

And he says there are now more protections for witnesses.

Sorry, this video has expired Mark Dreyfus on Australian laws governing slavery and human trafficking

"It will enable vulnerable witness ... victims of slavery-like offences to give evidence through closed circuit TV, via video link, to give evidence with a support person in attendance and to give evidence in a way in which their identity is protected," he said.

"Now all of those are very important if we are to secure convictions against people who've been involved in slavery-like offences or any offences that involve forced labour."

Advocates have welcomed the new laws but say more needs to be done to raise awareness of the issue.

As for Gloria, she managed to escape her situation with the help of her embassy and the AFP.

She is now suing her former employer in the Federal Circuit Court.

But she says while she now has freedom, she knows of others who remain trapped in similar situations to hers.

"Worse than mine, it's really sad," she said.

However she says by speaking out she can give voice to those who lack the freedom to speak for themselves.