REEF: Tourism Operator Support Grants

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REEF: Tourism Operator Support Grants Program

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Introduction

The Reef Educational Experience Fund (REEF): Tourism Operator Support Grants Program has been designed to support Reef Tourism Operators to obtain the necessary upgrades, checks or clearances required to welcome school groups visiting under the REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate program.

$480,000 is available to cover up to 50% of the cost of necessary upgrades, checks or clearances for local Reef Tourism Operators to accommodate school groups.  

The program will provide grants between $1,000 and $15,000 per applicant matched dollar for dollar (or more) e.g. for a grant request of $2,000 the applicant must also contribute $2,000 giving a total project value of $4,000. 

This funding is available over the 2025-26 and 2026-27 financial years, commencing in February 2026 and ending 30 June 2027. 

The closing time for applications is 4:00pm AEST on Thursday 19 March 2026.

 

Further information

  • Grant guidelines, including full eligibility criteria can be found at https://www.austrade.gov.au/en/how-we-can-help-you/grants/reef-tourism-operator-support-grants
  • The applicant must meet the eligibility criteria in Section 4 of the Grant Guidelines. 
  • Please ensure you have read and understood the Grant Guidelines prior to submitting your application.
  • All information contained in your application will be used as part of the assessment process to determine whether your application is successful or not. 
  • Only one application may be submitted per eligible reef tourism operator entity. 
  • SmartyGrants provides an Applicant Help Guide which can be accessed through the following link: Help Guide for Applicants

Authorised Contact Details

Please provide the details for the individual who will be responsible for entering into the grant agreement on behalf of the business or legal entity.

Must be an Australian phone number. 
Must be an email address. 
Are you an overseas resident? * Required
Response required.

Applicant Details

The 'Applicant' is the reef tourism operator seeking funding.

The ABN provided will be used to look up the following information.
Click Lookup above to check that you have entered the ABN correctly.
Australian Business Register Information
ABN
Entity name
ABN status
Entity type
Goods & Services Tax (GST)
DGR Endorsed
ATO Charity Type
More information
ACNC Registration
Tax Concessions
Main business location
Must be an ABN. Maximum of one application per ABN.
Is your Entity Type a Trust? * Required
Response required.
A Trust is not eligible to apply, however a trustee who is incorporated in Australia (with a valid ABN) may apply on behalf of a Trust.
Must be a number. 

Trust (Not Applicable)

This section is not applicable because of your response to question: "Is your Entity Type a Trust?" on page 1

Must be a 9 Digit Number
Please upload your trust deed * Required
Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file
    Please attach a current valid copy of your Trust deed including any amendments (if applicable) and including current trustee details.
    Is your organisation First Nations owned? * Required
    Response required.
    A business is considered a First Nations organisation if it is at least 51% owned and controlled by a First Nations person(s).
    Address Line 1, Suburb/Town, State/Province, Postcode, and Country are required. 
    Must be a URL. 

    Reef Tourism Operator

    To be eligible, you must be a reef tourism operator* currently operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas, this includes island-based providers.

    Are you a reef tourism operator currently operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas? * Required
    Response required.
    *A reef tourism operator is defined as a legal entity offering tours or activities with a focus on direct interaction with the Great Barrier Reef and its environs.
    Please attach evidence that you are a reef tourism operator currently operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas. * Required
    Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file
      This could be confirmation of your most recent quarterly tourism visitation data (logbooks) lodged through EMC Online.

      Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Tourism Permit

      To be eligible for this grant, you must hold a current Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) tourism permit with daily permission to access the Marine Parks.

      Do you hold a current GBRMPA tourism permit? * Required
      Response required.
      Please upload evidence of this permit * Required
      Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file

        High Standard Tourism Operator (HSTO)

        To be eligible, you must be recognised as a High Standard Tourism Operator (HSTO) by GBRMPA as listed here - https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/visit/choosing-high-standard-tourism-operation

        Do you hold High Standard Tourism Operator (HSTO) status from GBRMPA * Required
        Response required.
        Response required.
        Website: https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/visit/choosing-high-standard-tourism-operation
        Please upload evidence of HSTO Status * Required
        Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file

          Insurance and Licences

          To be eligible for this grant, you are required to hold public liability insurance, WorkCover Accident Insurance and other compulsory and relevant licences and insurances to cover the project, all of which need to be current and financial.

          Do you hold current public liability insurance? * Required
          Response required.
          Do you hold current WorkCover accident insurance? * Required
          Response required.

          Insurance and Licenses File Uploads

          Please upload evidence of your current and financial relevant compulsory insurances and licences:

          Public Liability Insurance * Required
          Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file
            A minimum of 1 file must be attached. 
            WorkCover Accident Insurance * Required
            Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file
              A minimum of 1 file must be attached. 
              Other Licences and Insurances (optional)
              Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file
                Please note, multiple files may be uploaded here.

                Participation in REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program

                To be eligible for this grant, you must agree to participate in the REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate program.

                Agreement to this means you will be registered with Austrade as an eligible experience provider, allowing schools to book eligible experiences who qualify for the excursion rebate from Austrade. This rebate program is expected to run from 1 July 2026 through to 30 June 2028.

                Do you agree to participate in the REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate program? * Required
                Response required.

                Project

                Describe the expenditure and activities that will assist you to accommodate school groups and to achieve the program objectives.

                You may apply for funding of between $1,000 and $15,000 ex GST. You must match the amount of funding requested e.g. for a grant request of $2,000 the applicant must also contribute $2,000 giving a total project value of $4,000.

                Please refer to the grant guidelines Section 5: "What the money can be used for".

                Word count:
                You must only incur the expenditure on your grant activities between the start date and end or completion date for your grant agreement for it to be eligible.

                Project Budget

                Provide below the:

                • expenditure or activity item,
                • total cost per item 
                • amount of funding you are expecting to contribute per item. 

                If you require further rows, please click the "add more" button. 

                ExpenditureExpenditure Cost ($ Ex GST)Grantee Contribution ($ Ex GST)Funding Requested ($ Ex GST)
                Describe your expenditure
                Must be a dollar amount excluding GST
                Must be a dollar amount excluding GST
                This number/amount is calculated. 

                Must be at least 1 rows

                This number/amount is calculated. 
                This number/amount is calculated. 
                This number/amount is calculated. Must be less than $15,000
                This number/amount is calculated. Must be 50% or above

                Please attach or link below a budget and/or quotes to support the requested funding. 

                Please upload files here:
                Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file

                  You Are Ineligible (Not Applicable)

                  This section is not applicable because of your response to questions:

                  • "Do you hold current public liability insurance?" on page 1
                  • "Do you hold current WorkCover accident insurance?" on page 1
                  • "Do you hold High Standard Tourism Operator (HSTO) status from GBRMPA" on page 1
                  • "Do you hold a current GBRMPA tourism permit?" on page 1
                  • "Are you a reef tourism operator currently operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Areas?" on page 1
                  • "Do you agree to participate in the REEF: Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate program?" on page 1
                  • "Grantee Contribution To Project (%)" on page 1
                  • "Total Amount Requested ($ Ex GST)" on page 1
                  • "Are you an overseas resident?" on page 1

                  As you have answered:

                  • yes to being an overseas resident; or
                  • no to any of the eligibility questions; or
                  • requested more than the maximum $15,000; or
                  • if the contribution you are planning to provide is less than 50% of the cost of the total project,

                  you are ineligible to continue with this application.

                  Please contact the Tourism Programs Team at Austrade at tourism.grants@austrade.gov.au for more information.

                  Evidence of Matched Funding

                  You are required to match the amount of funding you are requesting. 

                  If successful, the matching dollar contribution must not come from any financial assistance received under a scheme administered by the Commonwealth or a State or Territory, or an authority of the Commonwealth or State or Territory.

                  Please attach evidence, for example a bank statement, which demonstrates you have funds available that at least match the grant funding requested. * Required
                  Attach a file: Upload new fileSelect stored file
                    Evidence must be from within 3 months of the application.

                    Bank Account Details

                    To be eligible to receive grant funding, it is required that your organisation has a bank account which is held by an Australian financial institution.

                    Applicants must provide bank account details that are registered to the organisation to receive payments.

                    Applicant (Business) Bank Account * Required
                    Registered to the business.
                    Must be an Australian financial institution registered to the business.