The ACT Government will be providing free school camps for ACT public primary school students – with the first camps to commence in Term 1 this year.
“No student should have to miss out on a school camp because of the cost, and no parent should have to choose between paying for a school camp or paying the bills,” Minister for Education Yvette Berry commented “We understand that school camps are an important and formative part of the educational experience – but we also understand that the cost of living is a challenge to many Canberra families.The start of this free school camp program means that families won’t have to miss out due to the cost, and it will also increase equity in participation in memorable extracurricular experiences for Canberra’s students.”

Under this new initiative it is expected that one year group from each ACT public primary school will receive a free camp each year. Meaning all ACT public primary school students will benefit from this program once throughout their primary school years. Already it is expected that more than 1000 students will benefit from the program in the first half of 2025, with additional school bookings to open up in the coming weeks. Work is underway to support the roll out of the first phase of this program in the first half of 2025.
Schools will communicate to their school communities as plans are finalised (with Semester 1 2025 bookings subject to availability).Equity is one of the four principles of the Future of Education Strategy, and as such is a key consideration of the ACT Government’s plan for the education system.
“Free school camps to Birrigai are in addition to the range of equity programs we’re already providing for Canberra families in the public school system,” Minister Berry commented “From free three-year-old preschool, a Chromebook for every public secondary school student, the Future of Education Equity Fund and now a free school camp – we’re helping tens-of-thousands of Canberra families with their everyday education expenses. The ACT Government will always invest strongly to ensure that every local school is a great school, and that Canberra’s children and young people get the support they need through our public education system.”