Hundreds of jobs are being slashed from Victoria’s education department as the state government seeks to improve its budget bottom line.

Some 325 full time equivalent positions are being cut several months after the government signalled up to 4000 public servants could lose their jobs.

Victoria’s net debt is forecast to reach $171 billion by 2027 and cutting public service roles was expected to save $2.1 billion.

A government spokesperson said no staff working at schools, regional or area offices would be impacted.

“The Department grew during the pandemic to support our schools and students as we responded to a one-in-100-year event, and now it will rebalance back towards pre-pandemic levels.”

The Community and Public Sector Union is confident impacted workers will be able to find new roles within the department.

A spokesman told AAP about 100 vacant positions would no longer be advertised, 100 teachers working for the department would return to classrooms and 110 others set to lose their jobs could apply for roles on new projects.

He said the department would be held to account on government guidelines that state workers will only have their employment terminated as a last resort.

– AAP