You will need permits for research, teaching and commercial activities on and around Heron Island.
See the information, below, to understand zoning and permit requirements.
Zoning and defined areas
Heron Island is designated by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) as part of the Capricorn Bunker Group.
The island’s waters are defined as marine national park, conservation park and scientific research zones, each of which have their own restrictions.
The island is designated by the Queensland Government as a national park (above the high-water mark).
Find out more about GBRMPA zoning and maps.
Permits
All research, educational and commercial activities, including commercial filming/photography, are subject to national park and GBRMPA permit regulations.
Application tips:
- Contact the relevant issuing authority for the latest permit requirements before you apply.
- Permit application times vary and may take a few months to finalise, so organise applications early to avoid disappointment.
- You must include a copy of your required permits when you finalise your booking with us.
Marine-based activity permits
GBRMPA permits
You’ll need a GBRMPA permit to conduct any educational or research (except for limited impact research, see below) activities in the marine park.
Activities include snorkelling, diving, reef walking, surveys, transects and collecting.
Find out more and apply for a GBRMPA permit.
Limited impact research authorisation
UQ is GBRMPA-accredited to approve applications from UQ staff and HDR candidates to conduct limited impact research within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
If you’re from UQ, find out more and apply for a limited impact research permit (requires UQ login).
If you’re from outside UQ, contact your educational or research institution or apply for a permit through the GBRMPA permit application portal.
Land-based activity permits
You’ll need a Research permit or an Educational purposes permit to conduct scientific research or educational activities in the national park (above the high-water mark).
Contact the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science to find out more.
Equipment deployment
If you plan to deploy equipment in the field – for any length of time – email your completed Site Registration Form (PDF, 44.7 KB) to us at hirs.scientific@uq.edu.au.
Registering the details of your equipment deployment and removal helps us to manage use of the reef and avoid overlaps in fieldwork spaces.
Ethical clearance
If you’re conducting research or teaching activities that involve animals or human subjects, you must follow ethical clearance procedures.
Animal ethics
You must get written approval from an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to acquire, breed, hold or research live non-human vertebrates, cephalopods or crustaceans for any purpose at Heron Island Research Station.
Before you arrive, you must email a copy of your AEC approval to us at hirs@uq.edu.au.
If you’re visiting us from outside UQ, approach government ethics bodies for advice.
Find out more about animal ethics at UQ.
Human ethics
The University has stringent guidelines for protecting the welfare and rights of human subjects who participate in research projects, including interviews and surveys.
Staff and student research projects that involve data collection of this nature – even if responses are anonymous – need ethical clearance.
If you’re visiting us from outside UQ, approach government ethics bodies for advice.
Find out more about human ethics at UQ.
Photography and filming
University permission
You must ask permission to take professional footage or photos at Heron Island Research Station.
Contact us in advance to discuss your needs. We’ll consider your request in consultation with UQ’s Communications team and respond to you by email.
Find out more about filming on UQ campuses.
Government permission
Commercial filmmakers and photographers may need to apply for a Commercial Activity Permit to work within national and conservation parks, recreation areas and state forests.
Find out more about Queensland Government permission.
Drones and ROVs
Heron Island is in a flight exclusion zone.
To fly a drone over the island, you’ll need to comply with CASA regulations and get a Queensland Government drone safety permit.
To fly a drone over the reef or operate an ROV, you’ll need a GBRMPA permit.
As a courtesy to Heron Island Resort, as them for details about their scheduled helicopter flight times.
Transporting specimens
For help with safely packing and freighting specimens, email our scientific officers at hirs.scientific@uq.edu.au.
Contact your airline or transport carrier for details about specimen transport restrictions.
Transporting specimens interstate
You may need a permit or licence to move wildlife into or out of Queensland.
Contact the Queensland Government to find out more about moving native and exotic wildlife.
Transporting specimens to/from Australia
If you collect specimens or part specimens from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, you’ll need a permit to take them out of Australia.
Regulations also apply for bringing plants and animal specimens into Australia.
Find out more about importing and exporting wildlife specimens.
Why do I need a permit?
Permits protect and conserve the environment while allowing for its sustainable use. They authorise you to conduct activities in defined areas.
Note: You must supply all copies of permits to us and carry a copy when working in the field.