Victorian IT Minister Marsha Thomson, said the revamped panel for government ICT (Information and Communications Technology) contracts valued at less than A$1 million (US$757,980) would now have more categories and flexibility to reflect the changing ICT industry.

"This will be the first tender to adopt the [state] government's new policies allowing contractors to retain ownership of intellectual property they develop for the Victorian government," Thomson said.

The new panel will have 18 categories supplemented by multiple areas of skills and specialties and service arranged in a matrix so it's easier to identify each company's range of skills and expertise.

Since the panel began in 2003, its members have gained A$54.2 million in government contracts and completed work on almost 1000 projects. In addition, Thomson said the panel has saved the ICT industry up to A$37 million in reduced tendering costs.

Of the 208 companies on the list, she said more than 80 percent are either Victorian or Australian SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).