Victoria Teachers and Support Staff Strike Statewide Amid Pay and Workload Dispute

Victoria can expect major statewide disruptions today as teachers and education support staff walk off the job in their second major strike action of the year.

State schools will effectively be closed during today's major strike action, with thousands expected to take part once again.

Roughly 35,000 educators and supporters marched through Melbourne's CBD in March as part of the 24-hour strike.

The strike comes after Australian Education Union (AEU) members voted to reject the state government's latest pay offer on the weekend.

The union said just over half of its members opposed the government's new offer, which this time included support staff in a 28 per cent pay increase over four years and halving the number of compulsory meetings educators must attend.

Instead, the union is calling for the state government to agree to a three-year deal and for more action to alleviate educators' workloads.

AEU Victoria President Justin Mullaly said workloads were a key issue for teachers.

"They work in the lowest-funded schools in the country, and that means that they carry a significant burden when it comes to workload," he told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"That's one of the key things that we need to see further addressed in negotiations."

Mr Mullaly said the union's concerns were more about staff shortages and workloads than the government's pay offer.

"When it comes to pay, there's no doubt that a 28 per cent pay increase is significant. We've always acknowledged that," he said.

"But when you've got a situation where people are working in schools where shortages of teachers continue, you've got to do more to attract and, in particular, retain the workforce."

A Victorian government spokesperson said discussions with the union were continuing.

"Families are already juggling a lot, and today's disruption is disappointing," the spokesperson said.

"This was a close vote, and we will continue to work with the AEU to resolve this matter."

In June, Victorian teachers went against AEU advice and voted down a pay rise of between 28 and 32 per cent.

In March, teachers and supporters took statewide strike action, marching to parliament in central Melbourne, with police estimating 35,000 people were in attendance.

The March strike was the first of its kind since AEU members took statewide industrial action in 2013 when negotiations with the Baillieu Coalition government broke down.