The Morrison-McCormack Government has increased the rebate for school students traveling to Canberra this year as part of their civics and citizenship education.
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate - or PACER - program has been boosted by 50 per cent.
"We all have an interest in our children learning about our democracy so they have the skills and values they need to be active and informed citizens," Minister Tudge said.
"With this rebate we are giving more students from right around Australia the chance to visit our nation's capital and learn about our history and democracy.
"It was the Howard Liberal Government that introduced the first real national commitment toward civics education in 1997, and I'm pleased that we are continuing that commitment."
Minister for Regional Education Andrew Gee said that COVID-19 restrictions had had a devastating impact on the PACER program, with the number of school visits to Canberra down by 93 per cent last year.
"Australia's parliamentary system, electoral processes and democratic history have an important place in our curriculum. This boost to the PACER program will ensure that students, especially those from regional and rural communities, can continue to come to Canberra and experience this first-hand.
"Whether it's walking through the corridors of Parliament House or discovering stories about our nation's servicemen and women at the Australian War Memorial - a trip to Canberra is an experience that students will never forget."
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said all federal parliamentarians are looking forward to seeing school students from their respective electorates be able to once again visit Canberra.
"Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Electoral Education Centre, the Australian War Memorial and other national institutions are ready to once again share their programs with students from across the country in a COVID-safe way," Senator Seselja said.
"Before COVID-19, school excursions were worth around $150 million to the ACT, so PACER will also be important to Canberra's local economic recovery."
