Welcome to the sustainable schools section. The aim of this section is to provide all Queensland schools with a central hub for sustainability resources.
Sustainability addresses the ongoing capacity of Earth to maintain all life. Sustainable patterns of living seek to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations (Australian Curriculum Version 9.0).
As Australia is a United Nations member state, we are guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals include eradicating poverty and hunger, improving health and education, and tackling climate change.
Visit the
United Nations website to learn about each goal and consider which goals you aim to prioritise in your school and community projects.
Developing a School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP)
An important component of creating a sustainable school is developing a whole school plan. A School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) is a document that sets out the school community's intentions in regards to sustainability education and environmental management. It represents an agreement to work together across the whole school.
A SEMP will help to integrate sustainability considerations into whole-school planning. It will help to implement changes to school culture and everyday practices and to apply the principles of ecologically sustainable development across school activities.
The step-by-step process of creating a SEMP consists of:
- reviewing your school's current priorities
- determining which sustainability issues your SEMP will address
- writing up action plans to address these issues across 5 focus areas
- developing a monitoring and evaluation strategy to track progress.
This
school environmental management plan template can be downloaded and adjusted to meet the needs of your school.
Outdoor Environmental Education Centres
Throughout Queensland, students and teachers immerse themselves in the principles of sustainability through hands-on experiences in over 20 Outdoor and Environmental Education Centres (O&EECs). For more information, visit the
O&EECs page.
Competitions, scholarships, awards and grant opportunities
A number of government, corporate and not-for-profit organisations run competitions that offer grants, scholarships and awards to support sustainability projects in schools or involving school communities. Learn more below.
-
Premier's Coding Challenge
The 2025 Premier's Coding Challenge will be open from March to September. It offers students in Year 3–10 the opportunity to showcase their coding skills by developing an app, game or website to drive positive change in the world by addressing 1 or more of the United Nations SDGs. -
Earthwatch Student Challenge
Each year, Earthwatch offers students in Years 10–12 full scholarships to join in week-long research expeditions during the school holidays. Students work in the field alongside Earthwatch scientists, doing hands on research. For further details on 2025 programs, please visit the Earthwatch website. -
The Earth Prize
A global environmental sustainability competition for students, aged between 13 and 19. Winners for the 2025 Earth Prize will be announced on Earth Day, 22 April 2025. -
Brisbane Carbon Challenge
This challenge tasks residents to learn about carbon emissions created as a result of their household's energy use, transport and waste, and create a personalised low-carbon action plan. -
WasteSMART Brisbane Awards
These awards recognise individuals and groups that help make Brisbane a clean, green and sustainable city. -
Reef Guardian Schools 2025 Eco Challenge
These 8 science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) based challenges are designed to inspire students to care, learn, act and share their passion for the Great Barrier Reef and reefs globally. Suitable for primary and high school students. Prizes to be won. Closes 23 September 2025.
If you are aware of sustainability competitions, scholarships, awards or grant opportunities please let us know by contacting
stem@qed.qld.gov.au.