Former prime minister Tony Abbott spent more on travel last year than his three predecessors combined.

Mr Abbott claimed almost $74,000 in domestic flights in 2016 for "official business" as a former prime minister, almost $30,000 more than Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and John Howard combined.

A spokesperson told News Corp Mr Abbott tried to accept as many invitations as he could, to aid in the re-election of conservative colleagues and to spend time in Indigenous communities and regional Australia.

Mr Abbott's parliamentary expenses show he spent just over nine weeks travelling across Australia last year, with all trips outside parliamentary sitting weeks listed as "former prime minister – official business".