The GCRMN Australia region supports about 16% (41,802 km2) of the world’s coral reefs. Among them is the iconic Great Barrier Reef (GBR), which is the single largest reef complex on the planet, comprising almost 3000 individual reefs and extending more than 2300 km along the Queensland coast, and the world’s longest fringing reef, Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Coral reefs occur in all of Australia’s northern tropical waters and exist as far south as Lord Howe Island (31oS) off the east coast and the Houtman Abrolhos Islands (29oS) off the coast of Western Australia. Australia’s coral reefs are highly diverse ecosystems, supporting more than 400 species of hard coral, and exhibiting a variety of forms including fringing reefs, particularly along coasts of Western Australia, Queensland and offshore continental islands such as Christmas Island, Lord Howe Island and those within the GBR, mid-shelf platform reefs, offshore atolls and submerged shoals.

Coral reefs, particularly the GBR, are part of Australia’s national identity, and have been central to the rich culture of Australia’s coastal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for millennia. Australia’s coral reefs are economically important. The GBR alone contributes an estimated $6.4 billion per annum to Australia’s economy and supports 64,000 jobs in the reef-based tourism, fisheries, recreation and research sectors.