The Federal Government says it will withdraw funding from schools that refuse to open for the second school term.

Education Minister Dan Tehan has ordered independent to provide some option for children who cannot stay at home amid the COVID-19 crisis.

He said the schools’ funding depends on them opening their doors to students who need to attend.

“We want all schools to be offering that learning environment for those parents who have to work, and for those children where it's safer to be in the classroom,” Mr Tehan said.

“As part of the funding requirement you have to be offering this to parents whose children you're educating.”

Mr Tehan said he was prompted by reports that some schools would not be offering the face-to-face teaching options that public schools will offer.

“What we want is a nationally consistent approach,” he said.

“What we want to do is ensure that when it comes to independent schools, and Catholic schools as well, that they're also providing that learning environment.

“There were some independent schools that weren't offering — for parents who had to work at all year levels — that opportunity for those students to get that safe learning environment.”

The Government insists it is safe to send children to school, but different states and territories have implemented the directions differently.

In-person attendance is still an option in public schools, particularly for parents who cannot keep their children at home.