Lilshira
Great Barrier Reef fee increase to $9 AUD on 1 April 2027
The Environmental Management Charge for standard Great Barrier Reef passengers will rise to $9.00 AUD on 1 April 2027. The increase also raises the part‑day rate to $4.50 AUD. The change applies to all tourists who pay the fee on reef tours.
En esta noticia
Esta noticia aún no se ha traducido a tu idioma, por lo que se muestra en inglés.
De un vistazo
- What changes
- Standard passenger fee rises to $9.00 AUD and part‑day fee to $4.50 AUD
- Timing
- Effective from 1 April 2027
- Who is affected
- All visitors paying the Environmental Management Charge on Great Barrier Reef tours
Los detalles
- Anunciado por
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)
- Entra en vigor
- 1 April 2027
- Norma anterior
- Current standard passenger rate is $8.50 AUD; part‑day rate is $4.25 AUD.
- Nueva norma
- From 1 April 2027 the standard rate becomes $9.00 AUD and the part‑day rate $4.50 AUD.
Background and Authority
The Environmental Management Charge (EMC) is a compulsory fee collected by tourism operators on every Great Barrier Reef tour. It is regulated and administered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), which ensures that all revenue is directed to day‑to‑day park management and long‑term resilience projects.
- Current standard passenger rate: $8.50 AUD
- Current part‑day rate: $4.25 AUD
New Charge Rates
Effective 1 April 2027 the EMC will increase. The standard passenger levy will be $9.00 AUD per person, while the part‑day levy will rise to $4.50 AUD. The rates are applied automatically at the point of sale and are reflected in the total price quoted by operators.
- Standard passenger rate: $9.00 AUD
- Part‑day rate: $4.50 AUD
Implementation and Use of Funds
All collected fees are deposited into a dedicated GBRMPA account. The money finances the Tourism Reef Protection Initiative, the Reef Trust Partnership, on‑water patrols, and the Eye on the Reef data‑collection program. These programmes support pest control, coral planting, water‑quality improvement and real‑time monitoring of reef health.
- Funds support active reef restoration and monitoring
- Payments to operators are tied to verified conservation work
Qué significa para los viajeros
Planificación del viaje
- Existing bookings will be charged the new $9.00 AUD rate after 1 April 2027.
- Part‑day tours scheduled for dates after 1 April 2027 will incur the $4.50 AUD fee.
- Travelers should expect slightly higher total tour prices from the effective date.
- No refunds are offered for bookings made before the rate change.
Coste y documentos
- The increase adds $0.50 AUD per standard passenger to the overall cost.
- No additional paperwork or forms are required; the fee remains automatically collected.
- Visa or entry requirements are unchanged by the fee adjustment.
- Travelers do not need to provide extra proof of payment beyond the standard receipt.
Lo que debes hacer
- Check upcoming invoices for the updated $9.00 AUD (or $4.50 AUD) charge.
- Adjust travel budgets to include the extra $0.50 AUD per passenger.
- Confirm with the tour operator that the new rates are applied to your reservation.
- Monitor operator communications for confirmation of the rate change.
A quién afecta
-
Standard passengers on reef tours
They are required to pay the Environmental Management Charge.
Qué hacer Pay the increased $9.00 AUD fee per passenger from 1 April 2027.
-
Part‑day tour participants
They also fall under the EMC regime.
Qué hacer Pay $4.50 AUD per participant from 1 April 2027.
-
Tour operators collecting the charge
They must apply the new rates to all bookings.
Qué hacer Update pricing systems to reflect the $9.00 AUD and $4.50 AUD rates effective 1 April 2027.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the new Environmental Management Charge for the Great Barrier Reef?
The standard charge rises to $9.00 AUD per passenger and the part‑day charge to $4.50 AUD, both effective from 1 April 2027.
When does the fee increase take effect?
The increased rates apply from 1 April 2027, as announced by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
How much will the standard passenger fee increase by?
The standard fee will increase by $0.50 AUD, moving from $8.50 AUD to $9.00 AUD per passenger.
Will the fee increase affect bookings I have already made?
Bookings that are confirmed after 1 April 2027 will be charged the new rates; existing reservations will be adjusted to the higher amount at the time of payment.
Do I need to fill out any new forms because of the fee change?
No additional forms or documentation are required; the charge remains automatically collected by tour operators as part of the tour price.
Who collects the Environmental Management Charge?
The charge is collected by tourism operators on behalf of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and is deposited into a dedicated government account.
