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Media Release: ACA Urges Schools to Protect Camps Amid Fuel Challenges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

FUEL CRISIS THREATENS AUSTRALIA'S $1.74 BILLION CAMPS SECTOR AS SCHOOLS CANCEL PROGRAMS

Australian schools are already cancelling camps as diesel prices exceed $3.00 per litre, threatening to deprive nearly four million young Australians of vital outdoor experiences. The Australian Camps Association (ACA) is calling on schools, community groups, and government partners to hold their commitments to camps and outdoor education - warning that the long-term cost to children's development far outweighs any temporary saving at the pump.

Feedback collected from camp operators nationwide over the past 24 hours shows the impact of fuel volatility is already being felt. Survey responses reveal cancellations, shortened programs, increased operational pressure, and growing concern from families about affordability.

Many venues report that transport costs, especially bus hire, have risen sharply, with some schools either withdrawing from planned camps or reducing itinerary components to manage expenses. Schools are expressing difficulty absorbing additional travel-related costs.

Staff travel is also becoming a significant pressure point. Venues report employees requesting longer shifts, carpooling arrangements, or onsite accommodation to offset fuel burdens. In regional and remote locations, fuel-driven increases to logistics and supplier costs are compounding strain already felt across the sector.

These pressures come at a time when camps have never been more important. ACA data shows that Australia's camp sector contributes $1.74 billion annually, supports more than 15,000 jobs, and provides life-enriching outdoor experiences for nearly four million participants every year.

"School camps are a critical part of the Australian childhood experience," said Peter McDougall, CEO of the Australian Camps Association. "With the increase in social anxiety among young people, we cannot allow temporary fuel price spikes to create a long-term crisis in children's development."

While fuel costs remain unstable, the National Fuel Security Plan confirms that Australia's fuel supply remains consistent and secure for essential travel. The ACA warns that cancellations based on fears of supply disruption - rather than price alone — may unnecessarily limit young people's access to vital developmental opportunities.

The ACA acknowledges the financial pressure on families and is encouraged by the Federal Government's recent decision to halve the fuel excise, which will provide much-needed relief for bus operators and transport logistics.

"We urge schools to talk to their camp providers and transport companies before making the decision to cancel," Mr McDougall said. "There are almost always solutions - shared buses, adjusted logistics, or revised program structures - which can keep camps accessible for all students."

Camps are a cornerstone of youth development, supporting resilience, friendship, independence, and wellbeing. They also sustain regional communities, employing local staff and partnering with local suppliers in every state. Cancelling camps to save on fuel costs would be a setback not only for children, but for the regional communities that depend on the sector to remain viable.

ENDS

Media Contact: Jessica Hough Events & Communications Manager, Australian Camps Association

03 9863 6822 | 0408 368 648 | editor@auscamps.asn.au