Victorian teachers to walk off the job in 13-year first

Victorian teachers are preparing to walk off the job for the first time in 13 years, after 98 per cent of education union members voted in favour of industrial action.

Public school teachers, principals and support staff will walk off the job on March 24 after eight months of failed negotiations with the government over pay and excessive workloads.

Australian Education Union Victorian Branch President Justin Mullaly said Victorian schools were "the lowest funded in Australia by a long way".

READ MORE: Melbourne man deleted 'life-changing' $50 million Powerball jackpot email

"It is a joke for this government to call Victoria the 'education state' while disrespecting and undervaluing public school teachers, principals and education support staff," Mullaly said.

"We don't take this action lightly. We understand the impact that this has on students, but the ball is in the government's court."

Victorian teachers will be earning up to $15,359 a year less than their NSW counterparts by October if a pay deal is not reached, the union claimed.

"Public school teachers, education support, and school leaders' salaries has fallen significantly behind other states and territories and excessive workload continues to increase with school staff working an average of 12 hours unpaid overtime per week," Mr Mullaly said.

The union is asking for a 35 per cent pay increase.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here