Federal education minister Dan Tehan offered private schools an early payment of more than $3.3 billion if they get students back into classrooms by the end of May.

Chief executive of Independent Schools Victoria Michelle Green said schools would have just two days to decide if they could provide a safe workplace for their teachers and a safe learning environment for students when they were under incredible strain and, in some cases, financial pressure.

'If they resume on-site education, they will be rewarded with financial support. If not, that support will be withheld," she said.

"'Independent schools are being used as a wedge in a policy disagreement between the Federal and Victorian governments. This is unfair and entirely inappropriate when what's at stake is the health of children and their teachers.

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Ballarat's independent and Catholic schools said they would take the advice of state and federal health experts in deciding when to return to classroom teaching.

"Like many in our community, we have a desire for our students to return to school as soon as we are able (with appropriate restrictions and within health guidelines), and we believe that most students learn best when they have access to their teachers in a classroom setting," said Ballarat Grammar headmaster Adam Heath.

"Any decision to return to school will be based on the expert health advice of both state and federal health authorities, and we believe that the best interests of our students will be served at this time by state and federal governments having a unified and consistent approach to resuming classroom teaching."

Damascus, Loreto and St Patrick's Colleges said they would be guided by their governing organisations, the Catholic Education Office and state health advice.

"Damascus College has not received any correspondence regarding federal offers of advance payments on 2020 funding. At this stage the college and catholic education in Victoria is following the advice of the Victorian chief health officer and we are continuing our delivery of learning remotely," a Damascus College spokesperson said.

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"The college is continuing to support onsite those students of essential workers and vulnerable students that require our assistance. The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria will provide advice if the current position was to change, and Damascus would respond accordingly in line with that advice."

The city's independent and Catholic schools are working with dozens of families whose finances have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and who are struggling to pay school fees.

All schools have vowed to support students experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic, urging parents to contact them if they need assistance with fees..