Explore Whitsundays is proud to be an approved Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program tour operator.
What is The Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program?
The GBR Education Experience Program is a subsidy program designed to encourage Queensland School’s to experience learning in a living classroom being the Great Barrier Reef.
There’s nothing like first-hand experience to reinforce learning.
Subsidies of up to $150 per student will be available depending on the distance travelled.
The program is aligned to the Australian school curriculum and resources for schools and teachers are available to support alignment with themes in the curriculum.
When do applications open for the program?
Mid-June 2021.
Who can apply for the subsidy?
The GBR Education Experience Progame is available to all Queensland primary and secondary schools.
Schools must apply on behalf of their enrolled students participating in the excursion. Subsidy payments will not be provided to an individual student or their family and can only be passed on as savings on the cost of the excursion.
How does the school become eligible for the subsidy?
To be eligible for the subsidy the school excursion itinerary must include at least 1 curriculum-related reef activity, facilitated by a commercial reef tourism operator, operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage boundaries.
Are there certain dates that the schools must travel to be eligible?
Yes – For the schools to be eligible, the excursion dates of travel must be from 13th July 2021 – 30th June 2024.
Who is the program delivered by?
The program is being delivered by the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport with program partners the Department of Education, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Tourism and Events Queensland.
More Information from the DTIS
How did Explore Whitsundays become an approved operator?
Explore Whitsundays is recognised by the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport as a High Standard Tourism Operator. High Standard Tourism Operators are recognised for operating in an ecologically sustainable manner and are independently certified by environmental certification schemes, Ecotourism Australia and Earth Check, as part of the requirements to be a part of the High Standard Tourism Operator program.
