Thousands of Victorian teachers, support staff and school leaders marched through Melbourne's CBD on Thursday after walking off the job across the state.
A sea of protesters draped in Australian Education Union red gathered at the intersection of Bourke and Swanston streets chanting, cheering and distributing flyers.
"What do we want? More funding. When do we want it? Now," the crowd roared as the march to state parliament began.
Traffic officers kept commuters at bay, with a several-block stretch of Bourke Street closed to traffic.
Placards called on the Allan government to live up to Victoria's nickname as the "education state".
"Supporting teachers equals supporting students," one sign read.
"My students could write a better offer," another said.
The union announced on Tuesday its state members had voted down the government's latest offering.
The revised pitch of a 28.3 per cent pay rise over four years was narrowly defeated, opposed by 51.18 per cent of members.
Primary school teacher Brian, who preferred not to have his surname published in order to avoid potential repercussions, said educators like himself had been left with no choice but to take to the streets.
"We weren't champing at the bit to get out here and do this," he told AAP.
"I think we'd all rather be in the classroom."
Ahead of Thursday's rally, the union's Victorian branch president Justin Mullaly acknowledged the vote was tight but said educators would nonetheless be out in force.
"Teachers, education support staff and school leaders are deeply disappointed with the state government," he told ABC radio.
Mr Mullaly acknowledged the latest pay offer was "significant", but said it was not enough to meet the needs of overworked, underpaid educators.
He suggested parents were supportive of the union's efforts despite the short-term burden on classrooms.
Mother of two Niki Galvin is one such parent.
"Most parents instinctively understand how important it is that we attract and retain quality teachers," she told AAP.
"It's only right that we support the union's efforts to redress that inadequacy and historical unfairness."
Ms Galvin confirmed she would take advantage of her flexible work arrangements, opting to keep her primary-aged child at home.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said teachers should be paid what they deserve and backed the Victorian government to deliver.
"I'm pretty confident that this will be worked out," he told ABC News Breakfast.
While all public schools were set to remain open on Thursday, many classes have been disrupted.
Union educators have been locked in a pay dispute with the government for nearly a year, with graduate teachers - the worst paid in the nation - earning $13,000 less than those in the Northern Territory, the best paid.
Former deputy principal Melinda Davis told AAP the teacher strike was not simply a dispute over pay, it was about addressing conditions and class sizes.
"The profession is at breaking point because the system is no longer fit for purpose," the Swinburne education expert said.
"That is the message Victoria's teachers are taking up to the premier."
Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll insisted the latest pay offer would make Victorian educators and support staff the best paid in the country.
Working conditions would also be nation-leading, he claimed.
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