REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program

Overview The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is administering the $6 million REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program (the Program), which subsidises the cost for eligible students to travel to and participate in curriculum-related learning experiences within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas. About The Program is the final part of the $10 million Reef Educational Experience Fund (REEF). It is complemented by the $1 million REEF: Tourism Operator Support and REEF: Tourism Operator Training programs, and the $3 million Tourism Tropical North Queensland international marketing and educational campaign. Objectives The objective of the Program is to subsidise the cost for students in Year 4 to Year 12 across Australia to travel to and participate in eligible curriculum-related learning experiences within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas (the Reef). The intended outcomes of the Program are: Increased student visitation to the Reef, smoothing seasonality and supporting local tourism operators and businesses Increased awareness of and education about the Reef and the importance of sustainable tourism Increased participation in activities which contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Reef Eligibility Section 4 of the grant guidelines contains the full REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program eligibility criteria. To be eligible, applicants must: Be an Australian Government (public) or non-government (private, independent, Catholic) school as defined under the Australian Education Act 2013, or a home educator registered with the relevant State or Territory authorities Have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN), if applicable Be registered for the purposes of GST where required Be a legal entity with the capacity to enter into a legally binding agreement or contract Not be under insolvency administration Be applying on behalf of students in Year 4 to Year 12 Be registered with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Reef Guardian School program Funding Total amount available: $6,000,000.00 (AUD) Applications open: 21 July 2026 Questions must be received by: 5.00pm AEST, Wednesday 10 May 2028 Applications close: 5.00pm AEST, Friday 12 May 2028, or earlier if all available funding has been allocated Grant activity must be completed by: 11 June 2028 How to Apply Applications must be submitted online using SmartyGrants before the closing date. To apply, applicants must: Complete the online application form available via the SmartyGrants portal and provide all the information requested Address and meet all eligibility criteria Include all necessary attachments Submit their application at least 4 weeks prior to the date of the school excursion Applications can be submitted up until 5:00 pm AEST on Friday 12 May 2028, unless funding has been exhausted prior. Further information is available on Austrade's website: https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/how-we-can-help-you/grants/kids-for-the-reef-school-excursion-rebate-program Enquiries Contact: Austrade's Grants Management Division Phone: 13 28 78 Email: tourism.grants@austrade.gov.au