Duke of Edinburgh's International Award — Open Award Centre

What is an Open Award Centre? An Open Award Centre...
... encourages you to complete the award.
It’s your journey and we will be with you every step of the way. You need to complete all sections of The Award and upload it to the Online Record Book (more on this later) and we will assist and encourage you through the process. If you are unsure of how to proceed, call us. When you need encouragement to complete an Adventurous Journey, ideas for your Voluntary Service, or are having trouble finding someone to assess your Skills, we are here to give you a helping hand. We will also connect you with like-minded people in the same situation as yourself. There are thousands of young Australians completing their Duke of Ed Award right now so you are not alone in your Award journey.
... encourages you to complete the award.
It’s your journey and we will be with you every step of the way. You need to complete all sections of The Award and upload it to the Online Record Book (more on this later) and we will assist and encourage you through the process. If you are unsure of how to proceed, call us. When you need encouragement to complete an Adventurous Journey, ideas for your Voluntary Service, or are having trouble finding someone to assess your Skills, we are here to give you a helping hand. We will also connect you with like-minded people in the same situation as yourself. There are thousands of young Australians completing their Duke of Ed Award right now so you are not alone in your Award journey.
... is an Award Centre "open" to everyone.
An Open Award Centre is an Award Centre without membership restrictions. Anyone aged 14-24 years living in NSW, ACT & Victoria can register with Outward Bound to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The many schools and community groups who run the Duke of Ed Award are Award Centres. They usually only accept participants who are enrolled students or members of their organisation. That is the distinction with Outward Bound being an Open Award Centre, its open to anyone. If you have finished school before completing your Duke of Ed Award, you can transfer your registration from your old school, an Award Centre, across to us, an Open Award Centre to complete your Award. An Open Award Centre is also for schools who want to offer the award to their students but don't have the capacity to administer it internally.
... is an Award Centre "open" to everyone.
An Open Award Centre is an Award Centre without membership restrictions. Anyone aged 14-24 years living in NSW, ACT & Victoria can register with Outward Bound to complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The many schools and community groups who run the Duke of Ed Award are Award Centres. They usually only accept participants who are enrolled students or members of their organisation. That is the distinction with Outward Bound being an Open Award Centre, its open to anyone. If you have finished school before completing your Duke of Ed Award, you can transfer your registration from your old school, an Award Centre, across to us, an Open Award Centre to complete your Award. An Open Award Centre is also for schools who want to offer the award to their students but don't have the capacity to administer it internally.
Equity Grant available for ACT residents to gain free registration!
Should I register for the Duke of Ed Award with Outward Bound?
What level of Award is right for me?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award levels are open to participants of these ages:

  • Bronze: You can start your Bronze Award if you are 14 or older.
  • Silver: You can start your Silver Award if you are 15 years or older.
  • Gold: You can start your Gold Award on or after your 16th birthday. You must complete your award before your 25th birthday.

Do I need to complete all levels of The Award?

No, but Universities, employers and Scholarship boards look very favourably on The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with Gold obviously carrying more weight than Silver and then Bronze.

If you didn’t complete your Bronze or Silver Award you can, and should, absolutely complete your Gold Award. You need a minimum of 18 months to complete your Gold award if you haven’t completed your Silver award. Therefore 23 and a half is the oldest  age you can register for the Duke of Ed Award.

Can I transfer my registration from my current Award Centre to Outward Bound?

Yes, you can continue your Duke of Ed journey from the same place in your Online Record Book (ORB) by paying the transfer fee and changing your Award Centre in the ORB.

I am an adult thinking about doing the Award. Can I still join?

Absolutely, but you need to have completed your chosen level before your 25th birthday. Therefore, as long as you are completely ready to go, the oldest you can be to start each level of the Award is:

  • Bronze: 24 years, 6 months
  • Silver: 24 years
  • Gold: 23 years, 6 months
How much does it cost?

 

Open Award Centre Costs

Award Level Award Holder Direct Entry Duke of Ed Fee (incl) Transfer Fee
Bronze n/a $332 $172 $160
Silver $342 $462 $182 $220
Gold $532 $682 $192 $340

What are these charges?

Award Holder: you have completed the previous Award level. E.g. you have completed your Bronze Award, and are now enrolling into the Silver Award.

Direct Entry: you have not registered with the Award previously or you did not complete the previous Award level.

Duke of Ed Fee: the fee charged by The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Australia to complete The Award and is included in Award Holder and Direct Entry fees. The balance is Outward Bound’s fee to administer your Award. It increases at every Award level as your time commitment to The Award, and our time commitment to you, increases. It is a one-off fee for that level of your Award. Other organisations charge monthly fees which turn out more expensive over the duration of your Award.

Transfer Fee: you are transferring from another Award Centre to Outward Bound. You do not need to pay the Duke of Ed Fee again.

Will there be additional charges?

Two Adventurous Journeys are required at each level of The Award. The Gold Award also requires a Residential Project. These are not included in the registration fee.

What do I do next?
  1. Follow the instructions to register online with Outward Bound at  Open Award Centre Registration
  2. Register online with The Duke of Edinburgh’s  Award – Australia at Online Record Book
ACT Equity Grant

Outward Bound Australia and the ACT Award Office want as many people as possible to complete their Award, and gain the advantage of calling themselves an Alumni of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Working in partnership, we are able to offer an Equity Grant that will waive the registration fee for those young people who are resident within ACT, wish to complete their Award, and experiences or meets any of the following criteria:

  • Low socio-economic status (SES) background
  • Isolation
  • Poverty
  • Rural, remote, regional living location
  • Intending participant identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • Intending participant is of a culturally or linguistically diverse (CALD) or ethnic minority background
  • Homelessness or housing insecurity
  • Domestic violence
  • Substance abuse
  • Teenage pregnancy / Teenage mother
  • Learning difficulty
  • Engaged in the juvenile justice system
  • Young Carer for siblings or parents
  • Family breakdown
  • Social and/or behavioural challenges
  • Physical disability
  • Mental health challenges

If this is you, please contact us to discuss how we can help you to achieve your Award.

Scholarships Available

We want as many people as possible to experience the advantage of a wilderness program in Australia. Through our charity arm, the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund, we can offer financial scholarship opportunities to those participants who would otherwise not be able to afford to come on a program.

To apply for a scholarship please go to our Scholarship Application Form.

Empowering young Australians aged 14 - 24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world.

Both Outward Bound and The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award were founded by Kurt Hahn. The first he started in collaboration with Laurence Holt and the latter with HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh. With this synergy in empowering young people to reach their full potential and be the best they can be, Outward Bound Australia are proud to be an Open Award Centre for the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in Australia. If you are resident in ACT, NSW & VIC, come and join us on the journey of a lifetime.

Open Award Centre NSW
Open to all residents of NSW aged 14-24 years, register with Outward Bound Australia to complete your Duke of Ed Award. We will provide you the administrative support and ongoing guidance to help you achieve your goals. We can also provide you with local Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residential Projects.
Learn more
Open Award Centre ACT
As an ACT based organisation, we are excited to offer Award registration to residents aged 14-24 years of our nation’s Capital. As your Award Centre, we will support the administration of the Award, and work alongside you to achieve your goals. We also offer local Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residential Projects.
Learn more
Open Award Centre VIC
Young people aged 14-24 who are resident of Victoria can register to complete the Award through Outward Bound Australia. We will provide the administration of the Award and liaise directly with you to ensure you are on track to achieve your goals. We can also help arrange local Adventurous Journeys and Gold Residential Projects.
Learn more
Build Resilience & Confidence
Build a tolerance for uncertainty and showcase your personal resilience. Courageous moments build momentum in your life and your confidence will shine as you take these experiences home and build on them.
Increase Leadership

The Duke of Ed programs provide a framework where your leadership skills are practised and refined throughout the expedition. You will have the opportunity to develop communication and decision-making leadership skills ready for the workforce.
Grow Connections

Cultural traditions, community values and personal connections help identify who we are and where we belong. Through program activities, you will witness cultural values, share common ground and explore compassion, tolerance, and understanding.
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