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Getting Eco-Certified

Understand and achieve recognised sustainability certifications

Written by Hayden Zammit Meaney

Getting Eco-Certified

Eco-certification validates your sustainability efforts with independent, third-party recognition. It tells your customers that your commitment to sustainability has been verified by experts.

What is eco-certification?

Eco-certification is a formal assessment of your business's environmental and sustainability practices. When you're certified, you can display a recognised logo that communicates your commitment to potential customers.

Certification typically involves:

  • Application — submitting information about your practices

  • Assessment — an independent review of your operations

  • Verification — evidence checking and sometimes site visits

  • Ongoing compliance — maintaining standards and regular re-assessment

Why get certified?

Certification offers many benefits:

Credibility — independent verification builds trust

Differentiation — stand out from competitors

Market access — some buyers require certification

Continuous improvement — the process helps you get better

Recognition — celebrate your achievements publicly

Guidance — certification frameworks provide a roadmap

Australian certification programs

Ecotourism Australia

The leading Australian certification for nature-based tourism:

Ecotourism — for nature-based tourism operators

Advanced Ecotourism — for operators with stronger practices

Certified Ecotourism — the highest level of achievement

ROC (Respecting Our Culture) — for authentic Indigenous experiences

Climate Action — for businesses addressing climate change

Learn more at Ecotourism Australia

EarthCheck

Global certification with strong Australian presence:

Benchmarking against industry standards

Tiered certification levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)

Comprehensive environmental and social criteria

Suitable for larger operations and destinations

Learn more at EarthCheck

Green Star

For buildings and infrastructure:

Focuses on the built environment

Relevant for accommodation providers

Covers design, construction, and operation

Internationally recognised

B Corp Certification

For overall business ethics:

Covers environmental and social performance

Looks at your entire business model

Growing recognition among conscious consumers

Rigorous assessment process

Choosing the right certification

Consider these factors:

Your business type

  • Tours and experiences — Ecotourism Australia suits well

  • Accommodation — EarthCheck or Green Star may be relevant

  • Mixed operations — consider multiple certifications

  • Indigenous tourism — look at ROC certification

Your market

  • Domestic travellers — Australian certifications are well known

  • International visitors — globally recognised certifications help

  • Trade partners — check what certifications they value

  • Corporate clients — they often require specific certifications

Your resources

  • Cost — certification fees vary significantly

  • Time — some processes take months to complete

  • Staff capacity — you'll need someone to manage the process

  • Existing practices — closer alignment means easier certification

The certification process

Step 1: Self-assessment

Before applying:

  • Research the certification criteria

  • Assess your current practices honestly

  • Identify gaps you'll need to address

  • Estimate the effort required

Step 2: Gap analysis

Work through the requirements:

  • List all criteria for your chosen certification

  • Evaluate your current compliance with each

  • Prioritise gaps by importance and effort

  • Create an action plan to address gaps

Step 3: Implement improvements

Make necessary changes:

  • Update policies and procedures

  • Improve operational practices

  • Install new equipment if needed

  • Train staff on new requirements

  • Document everything

Step 4: Apply

Submit your application:

  • Complete the application form

  • Gather required documentation

  • Pay application fees

  • Submit evidence of your practices

Step 5: Assessment

The certification body will:

  • Review your documentation

  • May conduct a site visit or audit

  • Provide feedback on any gaps

  • Give you time to address issues

Step 6: Certification

If successful:

  • Receive your certification

  • Get access to logos and marketing materials

  • Be listed in certified operator directories

  • Celebrate and communicate your achievement

Step 7: Maintain certification

Stay certified by:

  • Maintaining your standards

  • Submitting annual reports

  • Undergoing periodic re-assessment

  • Continuing to improve

Using your certification

Display your logo

  • Add certification logos to your website

  • Include them on marketing materials

  • Display certificates at your premises

Communicate your achievement

  • Share the news on social media

  • Update your business listings

  • Tell your existing customers

  • Train staff to talk about it

Link to verification

  • Provide links to certification body listings

  • Allow customers to verify your status

  • Be transparent about your certification level

Recording certifications in Launchpad

Track your certifications in Tourism for Good:

  • Go to Tourism for Good

  • Navigate to Evidence

  • Click Add Evidence

  • Select Certification as the evidence type

  • Enter certification details:

- Certification name - Certifying body - Date achieved - Expiry date

  • Upload your certificate

  • Save

Your certification will appear on your Tourism for Good profile.

Certification is a milestone, not the destination — keep improving even after you're certified.

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