Staff at the Federal Department of Veterans' Affairs will take industrial action after voting in favour this week.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) said 95 per cent of members voted for action that could include strikes, in response to Government inaction in enterprise bargaining.

Veterans' Affairs employs about 2,000 people to oversee support and payments for those currently or formerly in the military.

CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood has told reporters that the vote showed the level of ill-will toward the Government's enterprise bargaining approach.

“Veterans' Affairs is one of more than 80 Commonwealth agencies unable to make a deal because of this Government's inflexible and harsh bargaining policy,” Ms Flood told the ABC.

“The Public Service Minister Eric Abetz is forcing agencies to strip conditions from workplace agreements and cut workplace rights in exchange for low-ball pay offers.”

“After months of negotiations they are no closer to getting a new agreement.

“[Public servants’] patience is being sorely tested by a Government that just isn't interested in reaching a deal but in using bargaining talks as cover to attack workers.”

The department put out a statement saying it would try to ensure the industrial action had a minimal impact on services.

“Ensuring the veteran community has access to the services they need is a priority for the Department of Veterans' Affairs,” the statement said.

“The nature and extent of the industrial action will determine the level of impact on the veteran community.

“The department will use every endeavour to minimise such impact.”

The current workplace agreements for about 165,000 public servants across more than 100 agencies expired in June, with Veterans’ Affairs now joining Human Services in their push for a better deal.