TWO out of three Australians believe public schools are underfunded and a slim majority would be more likely to vote for a party at the next federal election that would increase funding for public schools, according to a new poll.

The survey on views about education, commissioned by the Australian Education Union, also revealed strong disapproval of the O'Farrell government's $1.7 billion cut to education, with more than 70 per cent of NSW voters saying they opposed the move.

More action ... Angelo Gavrielatos. Credit:Kerrie Armstrong

Two-thirds of respondents believe funding for public schools is too low, with only 4 per cent stating they believe it is too high, according to the Auspoll survey of 2200 Australians, including 500 people in NSW.

Only 14 per cent said funding for private schools was too low, while almost 45 per cent said it was too high. Just over half (51 per cent) said they would be more likely to vote at the federal election for a party that planned to give more money to public education, compared with 4 per cent who said they would be less likely and 45 per cent who said that factor would have no effect on their vote.