In this paper, a passivity-based sliding-mode controller is proposed to control the motion of an induction motor. At first, the induction motor is proved to be a state strictly passive system. Then, a sliding-mode position controller with an adaptive load torque estimator is designed to control the position of the induction motor such that the chattering effects associated with a classical sliding-mode position controller can be eliminated. The stability analysis of the overall position control system is carried out by the passivity theory. The proposed approach is robust with regard to variations of motor mechanical parameters and load torque disturbances. Finally, experimental results are included to demonstrate that good position tracking can be obtained without the rotor flux observer.