Distributors

The three names that come up constantly in Australian MSP and reseller channel conversations: Dicker Data (ASX‑listed, the dominant Australian‑owned distributor, strong on Microsoft CSP), Ingram Micro (global, strong on Fortinet and networking — some vendors sell exclusively through it), and Westcon/ComStor (also active, particularly in unified communications and security). Knowing these three by name, unprompted, is a low‑cost way to sound like you've actually worked inside the industry rather than around it — see the interview note in MSP 06.

Essential Eight

Australia's version of the compliance‑audit sales motion described generically in MSP 03. The Essential Eight is the Australian Signals Directorate's eight baseline mitigation strategies, scored by maturity level zero to three. It is, at time of writing, the single most productive lead‑generation instrument in Australian managed services — full definition in the glossary.

Superannuation, specifically

The compulsory employer retirement contribution referred to generically in Module 02+. As at this manual's writing: 12% of ordinary earnings, effective from 1 July 2025 and the final step of the legislated increase schedule — this rate is not going up further under current law. The 2026‑27 maximum superannuation contribution base is $270,830, above which the guarantee no longer applies, per Australian Taxation Office rules. Always confirm whether a quoted "package" figure already has this built in.

Panels and public‑sector procurement

Australian government panels — the general mechanism described in Module 12 — typically appear as state‑level Standing Offer Arrangements or whole‑of‑government ICT panels, plus federal instruments like the Digital Marketplace. Getting onto one is slow; being on one is a durable, low‑competition source of work for years.

Certifications that actually register locally

Beyond the vendor certifications already covered in the MSP job description: ACS (Australian Computer Society) membership is a recognised, low‑cost professional credential; a Microsoft Solutions Partner designation matters more to an employer's own standing than to yours personally, but knowing your employer's designation is worth doing before an interview.