Thousands of Australian schoolchildren have walked out of class to demand federal government action on climate change are only going to learn how to join the dole queue, a senior federal government minister says.

Students will be protesting across the country asking for climate change action. Credit:Karleen Minney

The "Strike 4 Climate Action" – inspired by a 15-year-old Swedish schoolgirl's activism – will involve children in capital cities and 20 regional centres such as Ballarat and Newcastle.

Thousands of students gathered in Sydney's Martin Place and on the steps of the Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne at noon on Friday to kick off the national protest action.

But Resources Minister Matt Canavan said he wanted children in school learning about how to build mines, do geology and how to drill for oil and gas, "which is one of the most remarkable science exploits in the world".