Certification Fees » Ecotourism Australia

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How much does it cost?

(As of 1 September 2020)

First-year only: To ensure the destination is supported effectively throughout their application, the certification fee is payable in conjunction with one of the support packages. This guarantees the support can be personalised and tailored to suit the region’s needs.

Second-year & onwards: Then from the second year onwards, the annual certification fee is billed at the anniversary of engagement.

Included in the annual certification fee:

Access to the online platform for the destination's application and certification, including built in guidance and best practice examples.
Ecotourism Australia membership, communications and marketing support
Green Destinations membership & communications
Invitation to attend and (possibly) present at the annual Ecotourism Australia Global Eco Conference
Invitation to attend and (possibly) present at the annual Global Green Destinations Day Conference
Nomination into the Top 100 sustainable destinations competition
Listing on the Green Travel Guide (once certified)
Listing on the Good Travel Guide (once certified)
Desktop/online audit fee (required every 2 years for Nature and Ecotourism level destinations)
Onsite audit fee for GD Certified level destinations

Please note during the first year, this certification fee cannot be purchased on its own, one of three support packages must be chosen.

Destination with population = Municipal or Local Council, Regional Tourism Organisation, Island Authority, or other Management organisation with control over a defined area.

Destination Population:	Annual certification fee
Destination Population:	Applying Destination & Nature tourism or Ecotourism levels	Advanced Ecotourism level (GSTC accredited)
Less than 5,000	$2,655	$8,850
Less than 25,000	$3,540	$8,850
Less than 50,000	$4,425	$8,850
Less than 100,000	$5,295	$10,620
Less than 250,000	$6,195	$12,390
Less than 1,000,000	$6,995	$14,160
More than 1 million	$8,850	$17,700

Pricing is in AUD, excluding GST and subject to change.

Protected Area without population = Nature or national Parks, protected area, marine parks etc., and large attractions (destinations usually with little or no resident population).

Protected Area size in km²:	Annual certification fee
Protected Area size in km²:	Applying Destination & Nature tourism or Ecotourism levels	Advanced Ecotourism level (GSTC accredited)
Less than 5	$2,655	$6,995
Less than 200	$3,540	$6.995
Less than 1,000	$4,425	$8,850
More than 1,000	By negotiation	By negotiation

Pricing is in AUD, excluding GST and subject to change.

Support Packages:

Choice of one of the below support packages for first-year destinations.

	Basic support package (12 months)	Online support package (12 months)	Fully inclusive support package (18 months)
Recommended for destinations:	Recommended for destinations with high capacity and resource availability to undertake the certification process with minimal support, have engaged an external consultant or those seeking a low-cost approach.	Recommended for destinations seeking support and guidance during the certification process. This is the most popular package.	Recommended for destinations seeking strong support and guidance throughout the certification process and wanting to take a slower approach to the application.
1-day onsite induction* with Programs Manager upon engagement in the program.	yes	yes	yes
One ecotourism product workshop for tourism operators.**	yes	yes	yes
Ten (10) hours online/phone coaching support for the destination by Programs Manager.	yes	yes	yes
Additional twenty (20) hours coaching support from EA Programs Manager & Communications support for destination by EA Communications Manager (making a total of 30 hours).		yes	yes
Thirty (30) hour Preliminary Assessment which is highly recommended and will save time and resourcing for the destination. See below for further explanation.		yes	yes
Additional thirty (30) hours coaching support from EA Programs Manager & Communications support for the destination by EA Communications Manager (making a total of 60 hours).			yes
An additional Ecotourism product workshop for tourism operators. **			yes
Investment	$1,250 plus Certification Fees & GST	$5,850 plus Certification Fees & GST	$9,450 plus Certification Fees & GST

* Two (2) days of the Programs Manager’s time is allocated for the site induction (including travel time). If further time is required for travel or onsite, it is a cost of $760 per day.
** Two days of staff time is allocated for an ecotourism product workshop (including travel time). If further time is required for travel or onsite, is it is a cost of $760 per day.

Please note: All prices are excluding logistics which may include accommodation, transport (including flights), meeting rooms and other incidentals.
Pricing is in AUD, excluding GST and subject to change.

Preliminary Assessment:

A Preliminary Assessment inputs existing (publicly available) information into the online application portal on behalf of the destination. It combines researching the region’s tourism, council and land management websites for information, with interviews of key stakeholders who can provide further information and understanding.

A report is then provided to the destination summarising the number of criteria already completed with existing information that was found through online research and interviews. Click here to see a blank sample of a Preliminary assessment report. It also highlights the areas of strength and weakness in the destination to assist with planning and developing the detailed works plan to achieve certification.

The destination then has access to the information which has already been inputted onto the platform - saving substantial time and resourcing for the destination management organisation which is tasked with completing the certification application.

This is a highly recommended step in the application process as it provides the region a clear understanding of the level of work ahead (and for whom). It also takes some of the initial workload off the allocated staff member who is to complete the certification application.

Additional costs:

Onsite Audit Fee	approx. $2500 + cost of logistics	An initial onsite audit is required to become certified, and then an onsite audit is required every four years for Nature and Ecotourism Destinations. An onsite audit is approx. 3 days. (GD Certified Destination level onsite audit fee is included in the certification fee)
Additional support	$950 per 10 hours	If you require additional support on top of the chosen support package. This can be used for coaching support by the Ecotourism Australia Programs Manager or Communications Manager. Additional support can be purchased at any time during the application phase.