An overhaul of the list of lawyers who can access reliable federal government work has sparked a major billing shake-up in Canberra, with some firms doubling or tripling the value of contracts signed last year.

Top-tier firm Clayton Utz reasserted its dominance in the public sector, with $71 million in contracts signed, putting it firmly at the top of The Australian Financial Review’s annual audit of AusTender contracts. The figure is more than double the $31 million the firm inked on average in the four years prior.