Thousands of Australian Tax Office workers have voted to strike and the CSIRO has begun work bans as the public sector revolts against reduced pay and work conditions.
Industrial actions over bargaining policies are now underway in 15 government agencies, including the ATO, Bureau of Meteorology, Defence department and CSIRO.
More than 4000 ATO workers called for a strike over pay and conditions on Thursday, just weeks before millions of Australians begin filing their tax returns.
About 94 per cent of the ATO's main union, the Community and Public Sector Union, voted for protected industrial action after workers' pay and conditions came under threat, the CPSU says.
Workers will also defy their bosses by ignoring efficiency targets, spending more time dealing with inquiries and advising taxpayers on entitlement services they can access.
CSIRO scientists have also threatened to strike if negotiations with management continue to stall.
The organisation's union members, who make up nearly half the agency's workforce, have begun a month of work bans on red tape and government reporting.
Union officials say scientific research will not be harmed and have called on scientists not to work unpaid overtime or attend face-to-face meetings with managers.
CSIRO Staff Association spokesman Anthony Keenan says staff need to send a message.
"(Not working unpaid overtime) is going to be quite difficult for some of these scientists, because they're quite dedicated to their work," he said.
"If the situation doesn't change, we may look at strike action."
The CSIRO was delivered a $150 million budget cut last year and will shed 1300 jobs over two years.
CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood says the Abbott government is waging an ideological assault.
"Not content with cutting 11,000 jobs last year, this government is now attacking workplace rights and pay in the public service," she said.
A spokesman for Industry and Science Minister Ian Macfarlane said the minister would not comment.
"It is a matter for those agencies concerned," he said.
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