The biggest Federal Government print panel is open to new members to share in tens of millions of dollars worth of work over the next year.

Printers making the cut for the production multi-use list can be offered contracts or invited to limited tender opportunities by 44 government departments and agencies.

The Department of Human Services, which administers the list, would not say how much work is available a year but the figure was $27m a year in 2010 when only 27 agencies were involved.

[Related: More printers winning government contracts]

Currently the list consists of 82 print firms across the country (see below) including most of the usual suspects plus a bevy of smaller printers including two Kwik Kopy franchises.

All those printers must reapply to be on the list by September 21, along with any new companies wishing to get in on the action. Contracts will begin flowing from October 30.

Jobs printers on the list are eligible for are in 16 categories including offset, digital, coldest and heatset web printing in various run sizes, on-demand print, finishing, envelope printing, security printing, and corporate merchandise.

The strategy was unveiled in 2009 in an effort to 'save millions of dollars and many hours of paperwork through reduced administrative costs and less red tape for businesses', but was controversial due to fears it benefited big players more than small printers.

Initially a five-year scheme, it was renewed last year and is put out to tender every year to attract new suppliers and weed out those that do not perform.

The current list of printers:

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