Tony Burke reportedly spent $2.2 million on travel since 2008

Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has charged taxpayers close to $2.2 million for travel costs, including charter planes and flying on VIP jets, it's been reported.

An investigation by The Daily Telegraph has found that since mid-2008, the manager of opposition business and opposition finance spokesman had racked up almost $600,000 in overseas travel.

Mr Burke, who served as agriculture and environment minister in the Gillard and Rudd cabinets, is also a regular charter flight user, claiming more than $400,000 in domestic travel, News Corp reported on Monday.

The investigation found that the Sydney MP, who led the attack on former speaker Bronwyn Bishop's hiring of a helicopter to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser, claimed more than $1.1 million on domestic fares, travelling allowance, car costs and family travel.

Mr Burke has said widespread travel was a necessity for cabinet ministers.