Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for operators

Phone us on 13 28 78 or email us at tourism.grants@austrade.gov.au to register for the Kids for the Reef School Excursion Rebate Program.

HSTOs registered for the program must have:

• blue cards for all staff engaging with students
• the relevant public liability insurance, WorkCover and other compulsory or relevant licences and insurance. All these need to be current and financial. 

Schools must state in their applications how their selected activity links to the Australian Curriculum. Operators do not need to explain this.

Eligible activity types under the program are listed in Section 5.1 of the program guidelines. Examples include:

• on-water experiences
• in-water experiences
• on-island experiences that directly interact with the Reef and contribute to its conservation
• cultural experiences, such as tours with Indigenous Sea Rangers.

Bookings should be managed according to your usual processes. No special booking system is required.

Schools and home educators deal directly with Austrade over rebates. However, in their application, schools and home educators will need confirmation from operators of their booking and a receipt for any deposit/s paid. Please read Section 6.1 of the program guidelines for full details of the paperwork schools must supply and may require from you. 

There is no minimum or maximum group size for schools or home educators to qualify for the rebate. Group bookings remain at your discretion.

While the program will run until 30 June 2028, all school excursions under it must be completed by Sunday 11 June 2028. Schools will not receive rebates for any excursions after this date.

Bookings remain at your discretion. Your inclusion on the approved operators list allows schools to request to book with you but does not guarantee any bookings.

If you are a registered/approved HSTO under the program and your circumstances have changed, please contact tourism.grants@austrade.gov.au immediately in writing to be removed from the approved list. Please outline the reason for the change.

Austrade-approved HSTOs that received funding under the REEF: Tourism Operator Support Grants program are expected to participate for the full length of the Kids for the Reef program.

If you have already accepted future bookings for the program, it is your responsibility to provide adequate notice directly to the school/home educator or travel intermediary, to ensure they can rebook with another approved operator.