Without getting into a bidding war, Premier Ted Baillieu says Victoria has an edge over other states vying for Qantas jobs to remain on their turf.
Mr Baillieu said more than 200 of the 500 Qantas jobs to be made redundant across Australia will be in Victoria, with an extra 1060 positions - 660 at Avalon, near Geelong, and just over 400 at Tullamarine in Melbourne's north - also at stake.
Qantas announced an 83 per cent dive in its first-half net profit to $42 million on Thursday and a review of its heavy maintenance operations in Victoria and in Queensland, where it employs 400 people in Brisbane.
It will consolidate other engineering work across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in the NSW capital.
Australian Workers Union Victorian branch secretary Cesar Melhem said the premier must push Qantas to retain its heavy maintenance sites in the state.
"I want Ted Baillieu to step up and show leadership and a bit of fight for the people he is paid to represent," Mr Melhem said in a statement.
Mr Baillieu said the airline had not asked for financial help but refused to speculate on whether or not government subsidies would be offered.
Instead, he talked up plans for a second international airport at Avalon, which he stressed would not be compromised.
"We do have great competitive strengths in Victoria," Mr Baillieu told reporters.
"We don't have curfews here ... we have an opportunity for a second international airport not enjoyed by other states.
"I don't want to get into a war with the other states. I just want to stress the opportunities and the competitive advantages that Victoria does have."
Qantas representatives are to meet with the Victorian government on Friday.
Mr Baillieu said he would seek a meeting with Qantas boss Alan Joyce as soon as possible. The premier leaves for a trade mission to India on Monday and returns a week later.
"Alan Joyce has made it clear to me that they have a consolidation in mind for their maintenance facilities. We believe we've got a good case here and we will argue that case.
"There is also an opportunity for both Melbourne Airport and Avalon to look at this in a constructive way and look at the opportunities ahead."
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said Mr Baillieu must do "whatever it takes" to secure Victorian jobs.
"This is an auction. This is a bidding process ... a choice between whether these jobs - hundreds more beyond the 500 announced today - go to Brisbane or stay at Avalon or stay out at Tullamarine," Mr Andrews told reporters.
"This is a competitive process I think, that's what Alan Joyce is really talking about."
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