Melbourne teachers take COVID-19 vaccine mandate fight to court

A Melbourne couple has taken the Victorian Government's decision to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for all teachers to the Supreme Court.

Belinda and Jack Cetnar, a relief teacher and a school horticulturist, represented themselves before the Supreme Court today, claiming the "no jab, no work" policy would cost them their livelihoods.

The pair argued the COVID-19 vaccine mandate is an extreme measure that encroaches on human rights and that staff with religious objections to the vaccine will be discriminated against.

READ MORE: Victoria's roadmap out of lockdown to remain the same after state sets grim COVID-19 case number record

They want teachers to be offered alternatives such as rapid antigen testing and wearing PPE.

The Cetnars also claim children mostly suffer "mild effects" from COVID-19.

Premier Daniel Andrews today said he couldn't understand why people in schools would not want to be vaccinated.

"For heavens sake, our kids can't get vaccinated, our smallest children cannot be vaccinated," he said.

"So why would anyone want to be in the school community contributing to the spread of this virus?"

More than 2000 people tuned into a livestream of today's court hearing.

The couple said they were looking to get legal representation ahead of the trials, which is due to start on 25 October.

The Cetnars have both worked at the Hillcrest Christian College in Clyde North.

The school is not part of the case and has told 9News it will comply with all government requirements.