Applications are now open for a fifth round of the Our Marine Parks Grants program, with a total of $5.6 million made available by the Australian Government.
Credit: Morgan Pratchett
Grants of between $50,000 and $500,000 are available for organisations and communities to take an active role in the management of Australian Marine Parks.
The grants will provide opportunities for First Nations peoples, regional communities, scientists, fishers and other marine park users to undertake activities that enhance the understanding, protection, and sustainability of marine parks.
Parks Australia Branch Head, Marine and Island Parks, Shaun Barclay said the program had already done excellent work to help secure the long-term health of Australian Marine Parks. “Previous rounds have attracted wide-ranging and innovative project ideas, advancing First Nations-led Sea Country management, promoting sustainable fishing and biodiversity research, and enabling the removal of marine debris,” he said.
“A key aim of the program is to increase opportunities to integrate First Nations peoples’ knowledge and participation in protecting and restoring Australia’s marine cultural heritage and environment.
“Their role in managing Sea Country is crucial to protecting cultural heritage and to achieving the best possible environmental outcomes for marine habitat.
“We are committed to working with communities around the country to protect, repair and regenerate the unique natural places that make Australia so special.”
Parks Australia manages 60 Commonwealth marine parks covering 3.8 million km2, protecting reefs, islands and deep-sea habitats, and many threatened marine species, ranging from whales, sharks and dolphins to coral and other invertebrates.
Since 2018, the Australian Government has provided $28.2 million funding through 4 previous rounds of Our Marine Parks Grants, supporting 91 projects nation-wide to deliver a range of outstanding conservation outcomes. Applications close at 4pm AEST on 27 October 2026. Grant guidelines and other supporting documents are available at Grant Connect.
For more information visit Our Marine Parks Grants.
