Kids to name new Antarctic icebreaker

Australia's school children will compete to name the nation's new Antarctic icebreaker vessel.

The Australian Antarctic Division on Wednesday launched Classroom Antarctica, a program which teaches about the frozen continent.

Students will also be invited to suggest a name for the vessel which is due for completion by 2020, replacing the ageing Aurora Australis.

"We're conducting a nationwide school competition to name the next icebreaker and that will be running over the course of the first term next year," federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said in Hobart of the ship which is part of a multi-billion investment in Antarctica.