Through real-world learning and collaboration, Amaroo inspires schools and communities to embrace sustainability.
For more practical ideas and advice visit
sustainable schools in action.
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.
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.
Earthwatch Student Challenge
Students in Years 10–12 can apply for full scholarships to join Earthwatch Australia’s week‑long research expeditions during the school holidays. Participants work alongside scientists on hands‑on environmental fieldwork. The 2026 programs include expeditions to Magnetic Island (28 June–3 July) and the Daintree (20–25 September).
Queensland Quantum Challenge
The Queensland Quantum Challenge is an annual, statewide initiative that invites students in Years 9–11 to explore the exciting world of quantum technologies. Participants demonstrate their creativity, problem-solving and science communication abilities by proposing their own quantum solutions for Queenslanders.
Reuse, Rethink, Repurpose Competition
Part of Cairns Regional Council’s annual Trash to Treasure event, this competition invites early learning centres, primary schools and high schools to transform waste into creative artworks or functional items. Finalists showcase their recycled creations at the 2026 event, with visitors voting for winners and each category champion receiving a $1,000 prize.
The Earth Prize
The Earth Prize is a global environmental sustainability competition for students aged 13 to 19, inspiring and empowering young people to develop real-world solutions to environmental challenges. Registrations for the 2027 competition are now open.
Youth Sustainability Summit (Ipswich)
The Youth Sustainability Summit is an annual event for Ipswich students in Years 4–6, focusing on inspiring sustainability projects. The 2026 Summit explores how everyday actions affect local waterways and includes hands on activities run with EcoMarines.