Protecting the Great Barrier Reef

Climate change is the biggest threat for the Great Barrier Reef, and reefs worldwide. Other key threats include poor water quality, fishing impacts on protected and threatened species, marine debris and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks.

We are taking increased action on climate change and investing in initiatives to protect and build the resilience of the Reef.

The Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan guides our actions to restore and protect the Reef.

Our investments are delivered through the Reef Trust. They are focused on priority areas and informed by science.

The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is one of the most complex natural ecosystems on Earth.

The Reef is the biggest living structure on the planet, roughly the size of Italy or Japan – an area so large that it can be seen from space.

Across its vast expanse are 35 catchments connecting a network of 3,000 coral reefs, shallow seagrass estuaries, inshore mangroves and deep oceanic waters.

The Reef is home to thousands of species of marine life, including 1,200 species of coral, 1,500 species of fish, 6 of the world’s 7 species of marine turtle, whales, dolphins, plus a great diversity of sponges, anemones, marine worms and crustaceans.

Its islands, beaches and coastal areas provide important habitats for approximately 80 percent of Australia’s shorebird species.

No other World Heritage property contains such biodiversity.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef area, with continuing connections to the land and sea country dating back more than 60,000 years.

An international icon, and Australia’s most acclaimed natural asset, the Reef and its catchment area attracts millions of visitors every year. And it is an important part of the social and economic fabric of numerous communities living in the region.

The Reef is under pressure from a range of threats, including climate change, poor water quality and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. But there is hope.

To ensure that one of Australia’s national treasures is protected for future generations, the Australian Government is taking increased action on climate change and funding initiatives to build the Reef’s long-term resilience.

This is helping to deliver targets outlined in the Reef 2050 Plan, which is Australia’s framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef.

Through our investments in the Reef, we are:

  • improving the quality of water flowing to the Reef
  • supporting world-leading reef management
  • accelerating the development of restoration and adaptation measures to help the Reef adapt to climate change; and
  • empowering people to care for the reef through strong partnerships and collaboration.

Australia’s approach to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef is underpinned by the collaboration with Reef partners, utilising the latest marine science, Traditional Owner, First Nations people knowledge and the expertise of local community partners.

Through this, we are committed to ensuring the Great Barrier Reef remains a living natural and cultural wonder of the world.

Our plan

The Reef 2050 Plan is Australia’s overarching framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef to 2050.

The plan has 5 priority areas for action. These actions are helping to address key threats for the Reef.

Building partnerships and fostering cooperation is at the heart of the Reef 2050 Plan. We all have a role to play.

Read more about the Reef 2050 plan.

Our investments

Together with the Queensland government, our investment in the Reef is more than $5 billion from 2014 to 2030. Of this, more than $3.7 billion is from the Australian Government.

We are investing $1.2 billion to 2030. This funding will accelerate actions to improve water quality, strengthen partnerships and stewardship, reduce fishing-related risks to protected and threatened species and strengthen management of the Reef.

It will support projects to help the Reef adapt to a changing climate.

Learn more about our investments.

Partnerships

We work in collaboration with our partners, including the Queensland government, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Read more about our partnerships.

Engaging First Nations people

We engage local knowledge through partnerships with First Nations people. This knowledge helps us develop appropriate, effective long-term solutions across the Reef.

Read more about our partnerships with First Nations people.

Monitoring the Reef

AIMS and the Reef Authority conduct a range of monitoring activities.

This ensures scientists, reef managers and the community have access to up-to-date and accurate information.

Read more about AIMS monitoring and Reef Authority monitoring.

Science underpinning our investments

Our actions are driven by the best science. Our research partners include:

  • CSIRO
  • Australian Institute of Marine Science
  • Queensland Government
  • Universities.

Read more about how we work with scientists:

Laws that protect the Reef

The reef is protected by law:

These acts provide an internationally recognised world class system of environment and heritage protection. To ensure use of the Great Barrier Reef remains sustainable, activities in the World Heritage Area and marine park are tightly controlled under these laws, as well as other relevant state and federal laws.