School tours of Parliament House – Parliament of Australia

Find out more

Bring your school to Parliament

More than 100,000 school students get first-hand knowledge of democracy and lawmaking on a visit to Parliament House every year. Will your class be among them?

Australian primary and secondary schools can participate in Parliament’s School Visit Program. Subject to availability, students can experience:

a one hour comprehensive guided tour, including the House of Representatives and Senate chambers and parliamentary exhibits;
a one hour Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) hands-on education program; and
a half hour hospitality session with the valuable opportunity to meet their local Member (dependent on the Member’s availability).

School tours are available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday between 1 February and mid-December, excluding public holidays.

Booking your visit

Due to high demand bookings are essential, and can be made up to two years in advance.

To book your school’s visit to Parliament House:

Check the Online availability calendar to browse available dates and times
Determine program choices (tour, PEO, hospitality)
Download and submit the School booking request form

Bookings are processed in the order they are received. Once your booking has been confirmed, you will be advised by email.

If your requested date and time are not available, we will contact you to offer alternatives.

To assist with planning, please review the Public Liability Certificate and Risk Assessment Statement.

Arrival

Please arrive at the front entrance of Parliament House 20 minutes prior to your visit. From the security screening proceed to the information desk in the foyer to confirm participant numbers and present Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) paperwork for authorisation.

Financial assistance

The Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) is an Australian Government initiative that provides some financial assistance for Australian students in Years 4 to 12 to travel to Canberra. For further information – including eligibility and rebate amounts – visit the PACER website.

Contact us

School Visits Program

Email or call 02 6277 4570

Bus and coach parking

School booking request form (pdf)

Online availability calendar

Booking conditions

Public Liability Certificate (pdf)

Risk Assessment (pdf)

Take your seat in the PEO chamber!

The Parliamentary Education Office (PEO) immersive learning program gives primary and secondary students hands-on experience of how our Parliament works to make Australia a better place to live.

By debating a bill in the House of Representatives or Senate, or conducting a committee of inquiry, students will get an engaging, fun and practical understanding of the role of the Australian Parliament and the work of members of Parliament.

Find out more about the program at the PEO website.

Prepare for your visit with the Parliament House virtual tour and Parliamentary Education Office resources.

Parliamentary Education Program

Parliamentary Education Office

Email or call 02 6277 3508