Duke of Ed Award levels

The Duke of Ed has 3 Award levels—Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Depending on your age and experience, you may choose to start at the beginning - Bronze - and work your way through all 3 levels, or jump right into Silver or Gold.

You should apply before you reach the cut off age for starting each level—this allows time for your application to be processed. You need to give yourself enough time to meet the requirements of the level of your Award so that you can finish before you turn 25.

Bronze

Age requirements

You must be between 14 and 24 years old. This means you must:

• start after you turn 14 but before you are 24 years 6 months
• finish before you turn 25.

Time it takes

The Bronze Award takes at least 6 months to complete.

• Physical Recreation: 1 hour a week for 3 months
• Skills: 1 hour a week for 3 months
• Voluntary Service: 1 hour a week for 3 months
• Adventurous Journey: 2 days + 1 night (plus a practice journey of the same length)

All participants must also complete a major—an extra 3 months in one of Physical Recreation, Skills or Voluntary Service (that is, 6 months total in one of these sections).

Silver

Age requirements

You must be between 15 and 24 years old. This means:

• new participants:
  • must start after you turn 15 but before you turn 24
  • must finish before you turn 25
• Bronze Award holders:
  • may start Silver earlier than 15 years old upon the approval of the Award Leader
  • must finish before you turn 25.

Time it takes

The Silver Award takes 6 months if you have a Bronze Award and 12 months if you don’t.

• Physical Recreation: 1 hour a week for 6 months
• Skills: 1 hour a week for 6 months
• Voluntary Service: 1 hour a week for 6 months
• Adventurous Journey: 3 days + 2 nights (plus a practice journey of the same length)

If you do not have a Bronze Award you must complete a major—an extra 6 months in one of Physical Recreation, Skills or Voluntary Service (that is, 12 months total in one of these sections).

Gold

Age requirements

You must be between 16 and 25 years old. This means:

• new participants and Bronze Award holders:
  • must start after you turn 16 but before you are 23 years 6 months
  • must finish before you turn 25
• Silver Award holders:
  • must start after you turn 16 but before you turn 24
  • must finish before you turn 25.

Time it takes

The Gold Award takes 12 months if you have a Silver Award and 18 months if you don’t.

• Physical Recreation: 1 hour a week for 12 months
• Skills: 1 hour a week for 12 months
• Voluntary Service: 1 hour a week for 12 months
• Adventurous Journey: 4 days + 3 nights (plus a practice journey of the same length)
• Gold Residential Project: 5 days + 4 nights

If you do not have a Silver Award you must complete a major—an extra 6 months in one of Physical recreation, Skills or Voluntary Service (that is, 18 months total in one of these sections).

Support materials

Please email qld.award.office@qed.qld.gov.au to request any of the below forms:

• Bronze/Silver Award plan
• Gold Award plan
• Participant's diary.