Families living in regional and remote Australia will pay less for their children to go on school excursions to Canberra to learn about our democracy and visit the War Memorial.

The Morrison Government will increase the rebate paid to schools located more than 1,500 kilometres from Canberra, under the current Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program.

The PACER program provides financial assistance for students in Years 4-12 across Australia to travel to Canberra for educational tours of Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.

More than 100,000 students from more than 2,000 schools from around Australia visit Canberra each year with the support of the PACER program.

The increased rebate will start from $100 per student for schools 1,500km-1,999km from Canberra rising to $340 per student for schools more than 4,000km away.

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said every school student, no matter where they live, deserved a world-class education.

“We want students to visit Canberra and see Parliament House and the War Memorial with their own eyes so they can understand our history as part of their education,” Mr Tehan said.

“The cost of travelling long distances can be prohibitive for families so increasing the subsidy for remote and very remote schools will help ease the cost pressure when planning an excursion.

“Because of our Government’s strong economic management, we can afford to make it cheaper for families to send their kids on school excursions.”

“There were 13 schools from my electorate that went to Canberra on a school excursion last financial year, Mr Hastie said. It’s so important that young people are taught our values and history.

“This increased support for schools from the Morrison Government means more students get the opportunity to see our nation’s capitals and monuments.” Mr Hastie said.