$91.8 million boost for Great Barrier Reef protection
The Albanese Government has announced an additional $91.8 million investment to strengthen the protection and long-term resilience of the Great Barrier Reef, taking total federal funding for Reef conservation to $3.9 billion since 2014–15.
The funding, confirmed in the May Federal Budget, is aimed at accelerating projects under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, alongside expanded restoration efforts, improved water quality monitoring, and enhanced scientific research.
The package includes $56.9 million for Reef 2050 Plan initiatives and $34.9 million for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, supporting on-ground management, compliance, and conservation activities.
A significant portion—$30 million—will advance large-scale deployment of restoration and adaptation technologies developed through the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP). These initiatives are designed to help coral systems resist, adapt to, and recover from climate-related pressures.
Efforts to control crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), a major coral predator, will receive $18.9 million, building on a program that has already removed nearly 1.4 million starfish and protected around one million hectares of reef habitat.
Tourism operators will also benefit, with $5 million allocated to extend the Tourism Reef Protection Initiative (TRPI), which supports reef monitoring, site stewardship, and restoration activities led by industry participants.
Additional measures include $6.6 million for the “Eye on the Reef” data program, $3.5 million for joint field management operations using advanced drone technology to combat illegal fishing, and $1 million to support sustainable reef fisheries, including scaling up coral aquaculture.
Environment Minister Murray Watt said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding the Reef, noting total combined funding with Queensland now exceeds $5.3 billion since 2014.
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Northern Australia Nita Green highlighted the importance of the Reef to regional jobs, with around 77,000 positions linked to its health, and welcomed continued support for tourism-led conservation efforts.
Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith MP described the funding as a critical investment in ensuring the Reef’s long-term viability for both local communities and visitors, while reinforcing collaboration with scientists, Traditional Owners, and industry stakeholders.
Further Details: https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-releases/joint-media-release-918-million-continued-protection-great-barrier-reef