There are a number of categories of fees for the Environmental Management Charge depending on the activities you are undertaking. These activities include tourist operations, tourist facilities (e.g. marinas and pontoons), resorts on Commonwealth Islands, non-tourist commercial operations (e.g. vessels chartered for research, filming, and the delivery of goods and crew to other vessels), and land-based sewage discharge into the Marine Park.
Check the Fee Schedule for the amount relevant to your operation, including whether you are entitled to any concessions or exemptions.
What is the usual fee?
For the majority of tourism operations, each passenger is liable for a charge of $5.00/day or part thereof. The amount is reduced for short visits to the Marine Park or those lasting more than 3 days.
- Passengers who have already paid the full EMC for that day with a different operator do not need to pay again.
- Transfer passengers who simply transit the Marine Park do not need to pay.
How do I know if a passenger has already paid?
The only way you can be sure that a passenger has already paid the full EMC amount for a particular day is to see evidence of the payment. This means that either the passenger, or the operator who provided the original service, needs to show you a dated receipt or dated ticket stating that the full EMC amount has already been paid for that day. You should retain a copy of the receipt or ticket in case you need to demonstrate why you did not collect EMC from the passenger.
What if I provide activities for cruise ship passengers?
If you are providing tourism activities to cruise ship passengers as part of a tour sold onboard the cruise ship, then it is important that you establish whether your potential clients have already paid EMC for that day. This information (e.g. a dated receipt) will usually be available from the shipping agent.
What if I only operate in State Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park?
If you only operate in the State Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park, then there is no charge for the passengers you carry.
What is a transfer passenger?
A transfer passenger is a person who travels through the Marine Park on a tourism operation, but for whom you do not provide any tourism activities while they are in the Marine Park
