Schools can apply now for subsidies of up to $150 per student for excursions taken to the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program is an opportunity for Queensland schools to undertake excursions to explore and discover this World Heritage area
The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the world’s largest coral reef system with some of the richest biodiversity on the planet – recognised as one of the world’s most iconic tourism experiences and Australia’s greatest natural attraction.
The GBR Education Experience Program, delivered by the Queensland Government, provides opportunities for Queensland schools to undertake excursions to travel, explore and discover the GBR.
The three-year program opens up the door to a wealth of learning opportunities within the GBR through the delivery of place-based learning activities which meet the Australian curriculum and support opportunities for students to participate in reef restoration and conservation activities.
Applications for the education subsidy are now open to schools for excursions undertaken from Term 3 2021 to June 2024 or until funding is exhausted.
The program will provide up to $150 per student paid directly to schools to go towards the cost of a school excursion. Details on the subsidy include;
- A school excursion to include a reef experience with one of the registered tourism reef operators
- A flat rate subsidy of $40 per student for eligible day excursions
- Subsidies from $55 up to a total of $150 per student will be available for overnight itineraries depending on distance travelled.
- Applications for the education subsidy are open to schools for excursions undertaken from Term 3, 2021 to June 2024 or until funding is exhausted.
To be eligible for the subsidy the school excursion itinerary must include at least one curriculum-related reef activity, facilitated by a commercial reef tourism operator registered with the program, operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage boundaries.
Commercial Reef Tourism Operators registered for the program satisfied the minimum program requirements which include:
- COVID safe plan in place
- Blue card for all staff engaging with students
- capacity to facilitate an eligible reef experience that aligns to the Australian and Queensland School curriculum
- permit to operate within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area boundaries
- capacity to provide the risk assessment documentation and safety advice required by schools for the activities being undertaken; and
- recognised by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as a High Standard Tourism Operator
and/or recognised by Tourism and Events Queensland as offering a Best of Queensland experience; or a marine research provider.
A Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Teaching Resources Guide has been developed for both teachers and reef operators for use. The Guide includes a range of fact sheets and study materials that is curriculum-linked for all year levels, from early learning to grade 12. The Guide can be accessed here.
For further information about this exciting program delivered by DTIS with program partners the Department of Education, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Tourism and Events Queensland visit https://www.qldeducationexperiences.org.au/
