The Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) provides a subsidy for schools travelling more than 150 kilometres to visit the national capital as part of a civics and citizenship education excursion. Schools must visit Parliament House, Old Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial and where possible participate in an education programme at these institutions.
The rebate is available for year 4 to year 12 students and is paid on a per student basis at rates varying according to the distance travelled as shown below. Funds should be used to reduce the costs for individual students.
| Distance (km) from Canberra |
Rebate per student |
| 150-499 km |
$20 |
| 500-999 km |
$30 |
| 1000-1499 km |
$60 |
| 1500-1999 km |
$80 |
| 2000-2499 km |
$120 |
| 2500-2999 km * |
$150 |
| 3000-3999 km |
$240 |
| 4000 km and over |
$260 |
*includes all students from Tasmania because of additional air/sea travel expenses.
In order to receive PACER, schools are required to use civics and citizenship education resources in preparation for the visit. Information about civics and citizenship education can be found at www.civicsandcitizenship.edu.au/cce/.
If you are planning a school excursion to Canberra and wish to apply for the rebate please download the PACER Guidelines and Application Form (as amended with effect from 1 July 2008). Please read the Guidelines carefully as conditions apply to payment of the rebate.
Send the completed Application Form along with a copy of the proposed itinerary for the excursion to the contact details shown on the form.
The PACER programme is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training and replaces the Citizenship Visits Programme (CVP) and the Education Travel Rebate (ETR).
For further information call 1300 368 248 or email admin@ncetp.org.au.