A woman was punched in the face and threatened with a machete during a violent home invasion in Melbourne's west.

The victim arrived home at 8.20pm on Friday night and parked her car in the garage when the four young offenders, described by police as African in appearance, followed her inside.

The youths then ransacked her home, located on Habitat Court in Tarneit, before producing a machete and punching the 34-year-old woman in the face.

They then threatened her and demanded she hand over her vehicle.