Switzerland: World heritage experts have decided not to officially list the Great Barrier Reef as being "in danger", but warned Australia it still has more to do to stop continuing damage to this natural wonder.

UNESCO's world heritage body, based in Paris, commissioned an expert report on the threats to the reef, including climate change, pollution run-off from the mainland and continuing coastal development.

These problems were made worse by major storms and floods, increasing concern for the survival of the reef and its precious plant and animal ecosystems.

However submissions by the federal government and Queensland state governments convinced the World Heritage Committee and its advisors they were making "significant progress" in addressing the problems.

In a draft decision published late on Friday the WHC welcomed commitments to reduce pollution run-off by 80 per cent by 2025, to restrict new port development in the area and limit dredging, and to reverse an earlier decision to dump dredge material near the reef.

However the committee warned that some of the commitments had not yet been made law or been backed with adequate funds.

"The proposed investment framework should be established as a matter of priority," the WHC decision said.

The committee also requested that Australia update them on progress in a review in 2017.

When it meets in Bonn next month, the WHC may accept or modify the draft decision.

Both federal and Queensland governments welcomed the decision.

A joint media release from Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Queensland's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Environment Minister Steven Miles said the WHC had "acknowledged the significant and unprecedented work undertaken by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments".

"All references to 'in danger' have been dropped and Australia and Queensland's efforts have been praised," the statement said.

"The draft decision is a reflection of our strong and decisive actions to protect the iconic Great Barrier Reef and our significant work to address all of the Committee's concerns."

Ministers Hunt, Miles and Deputy Premier Trad will represent Australia at the meeting in Bonn.

The WWF said the draft decision from UNESCO had put Australia "on probation".

"The draft decision acknowledges progress but keeps the pressure on the Australian government to turn their commitments into real actions and results, or find themselves having to explain to the World Heritage Committee in 2017 why they've failed to meet their commitments," said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman.

"It also means that if the anticipated results of the Reef 2050 plan aren't delivered, the Reef could be declared 'World Heritage in Danger' in 2020.

"This draft decision is consistent with science and is in the best interests of the Reef. It will keep the pressure on Australia to turn around the decline of one of the natural wonders of the world."

Greenpeace said the committee's request for a review in 2017 "has clearly shown that the Great Barrier Reef is not fine and is not safe in Tony Abbott's hands."

"UNESCO now joins a long line of scientists, banks, organisations and individuals who are deeply worried about the Reef's health. The Australian government can't talk about protecting the Reef while aggressively supporting the licensing of mega-mine and expansion of coal ports along the Great Barrier Reef coast," said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Reef campaigner.

Lobby group 350.org said UNESCO had indicated that "Australia's management of the … reef will continue to be under the global spotlight".

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