School’s in – on the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a classroom like no other. Now a new national program is offering more Australian school students the learning experience of a lifetime by subsidising school excursions to the Reef.

The $6 million ‘Kids for the Reef’ program is making rebates available from the Australian Government for eligible Year 4 to Year 12 students.

Pupils can boat through amazing ecosystems, take part in snorkel surveys of vibrant sea life, study marine science and conservation, or embark on many other approved educational activities.

The program is open to public, private, independent and Catholic schools, as well as registered home educators, across the country. Rebates generally range from $20-$400 per student, based on distance. However, payments may rise to around $1,600 per student for very remote schools with low ICSEA (socio-educational) scores.

The Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program runs until June 2028, but it helps to apply early. Applications are assessed in order of receipt until all funds are allocated.

Read more about Kids for the Reef here.