MEDIA STATEMENT: Outback Education Program Saved from Extinction 

Outback Education Program Saved from Extinction 

• Crisafulli Government rescues the Outback Queensland Education Experience Program.
• The program helps Queensland school students explore and learn about the unique history of Outback Queensland.
• Queensland schools are encouraged to participate in the program and aid in community flood recovery. 

The Crisafulli Government is saving the Outback Queensland Education Experience Program, which was left unfunded by the previous Labor Government.  

The reactivated program takes school beyond the classroom, offering financial subsidies to help schoolchildren explore the rich history, culture and landscapes of the Queensland Outback through a diverse range of tourism offerings. 

This initiative is part of a broad strategy to get rural businesses back on their feet after devastating floods, and show young Queenslanders the extraordinary experiences that make Queensland so unique. 

In the year ending December 2024, the Outback welcomed 1.1 million visitors who spent $791.2 million – an economic boost local operators desperately need to see as they recover from one of the worst floods on record. 

The Crisafulli Government is saving the program – which has helped more than 10,000 students visit Outback Queensland since 2011 – after Labor failed to fund it beyond 2024.  

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said this program goes far beyond your typical school excursion. 

“In the wake of some of the most significant flooding in our State’s history, tourism initiatives like the Outback Queensland Education Experience Program become more than just a getaway, they become a lifeline,” Minister Powell said. 

“This lifeline was to become the latest victim of Labor’s money mismanagement, but the Crisafulli Government has intervened and will ensure it continues.  

“During consultation for our 20-year tourism plan, I saw firsthand just how much communities in Longreach, Winton and Barcaldine rely on tourism, and creating an unforgettable experience for students so that one day they return for their own holiday. 

“For those lucky students, lessons will be brought to life from the prehistoric giants that once ruled the Outback plains at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, to stepping back in time at the Waltzing Matilda Centre in Winton, or witnessing aviation history at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach – these are memories they’ll carry for the rest of their lives.” 

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said supporting students to learn about Queensland’s rich history in-person was an unparalleled opportunity. 

“The Outback Queensland Education Experience Program helps students to understand the critical role rural and regional areas play in our state’s economy,” Minister Langbroek said. 

“We know hands-on learning at the state’s historic rural sites is the best way for students to retain knowledge, especially while they’re having fun.”