Many school children and teachers across the south west will be absent from the classroom today.
Up to 30,000 public school teachers and staff will go out on strike as part of industrial action, lead by the Australian Education Union Victorian branch.
This action is aimed at pressuring the state government into meeting pay rise demands being asked for by teachers.
The government has offered a 17 per cent pay rise over the next four years, with the teachers asking for more than double that, at 35 per cent.
Teachers also want the government to address workplace issues, such as excessively long work hours and staff shortages.
The teachers also want major investment into the education system, saying over $2 billion of funding is needed to address shortages in infrastructure.
It is the first time in over a decade Victorian teachers have gone on strike.
Teachers in Victoria make on average $13,000 to $15,000 less a year than their counterparts in New South Wales.
Teachers will meet at Victorian Trades Hall at 10:30am today before marching to Parliament House.
(Photo: Australian Education Union Victorian branch).
