The Outback Queensland Education Experience Program was established in 2011 to encourage teachers to take their students to Outback Queensland and integrate its rich history and heritage into school learning. It provides the opportunity for students to learn from and give back to Outback communities by experiencing life on the land.

The scheme provides a subsidy of up to $150 per student/ young person to assist financially toward an educational excursion in Outback Queensland.

The subsidy is paid directly to schools after having met the eligibility requirements for funding. 50% of the subsidy is paid upon approval of an application and the remaining 50% is paid after the excursion, upon receipt of a completed survey. 

The payment is not meant to cover all costs. Funds are allocated to schools on a per-student basis at rates according to round-trip distance travelled. Funds must be used to reduce the costs for individual students.

Rates

The subsidy rates (excluding GST) are as follows:

Total distance travelled (round trip)

•  500km – 999km: $50
•  1,000km – 1,499km: $75
•  1,500km – 1,999km: $100
•  2,000km and over: $150

The Program is available upon application to all Queensland primary and secondary schools, including schools of distance education and registered homeschools, where students are participating in an eligible curriculum-related experience as part of their excursion.

Schools must apply on behalf of their enrolled students participating in the excursion. Subsidy payments will not be provided to an individual student or their family, except by arrangement with registered home schools and can only be passed on as savings on the cost of the excursion.

• Phone: (07) 3535 5376
• Email: outbackeducation@queensland.com