Defence public servants are set to vote on industrial action in protest against a proposed federal government pay deal.

Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood said the union would apply to the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday for a ballot of members to take industrial action.

Ms Flood said defence staff were outraged at an insulting offer of a 1.05 per cent pay increase a year, with cuts to conditions, including removal of two days leave, and working an extra 3.5 days a year.

Once endorsed by a vote of union members, industrial action would encompass a range of work bans and stoppages of up to 24 hours, she said.

"Taking industrial action is always a last resort but Defence staff will be joining their colleagues across the Australian public service in sending a clear message that they are not going to cop this," Ms Flood said in a statement.