Canberra months from Melb Metro decision

Victoria's public transport minister has described her Metro Rail meeting with federal ministers as positive, but says she won't be bringing a cheque back home just yet.

Jacinta Allan says more time is needed before Canberra decides how much it will contribute to the $10.9 billion project.

The Victorian government called for $4.5 billion federal funding last week, but seemed to soften demands during a meeting with ministers in Canberra on Monday.

Ms Allan told reporters the meeting was positive and while she won't return home with the $4.5 billion, that was never the plan.

"Today was very much about talking through the details of the project and setting up the next stage of discussions and negotiations that need to be undertaken before we go to that final issue of funding," she told reporters.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said Ms Allan's visit to Canberra was a much better approach than "throwing a brick through the prime minister's front window with a note attached".

"I think it's reasonable that governments may ask for partnership, but partnership should be based on a mutual respect," he told reporters in Melbourne.

The Victorian government hopes major construction work on the project will begin in 2018.