A new state-of-the-art $6 million IT laboratory has been launched in Hawthorn East in Victoria, Australia which science experts expect will aid the advancement of the country's IT industry.

Spearheaded by Southern Cross Computer Systems, a company responsible for designing and supporting end-to-end IT infrastructure, the facility was constructed also with the help of the Victorian government and its $11 million Digital Futures Fund, which is designed to promote the development of innovation in IT.

The laboratory targets tech start-ups, as Victoria wants to compete with New South Wales in the IT innovation and infrastructure stakes.

"This laboratory will help businesses find new ways to adopt emerging technology, store their information and access software remotely," Victorian technology minister Gordon Rich-Phillips said.

"It will enable customers to test the impact of new functions, systems and tools to improve productivity... and make information available to their increasingly mobile workforce."

The Digital Futures Fund, according to Mr Rich-Philips, is part of a bigger $85 million plan to support Victoria's IT sector.

"The Victorian coalition government is committed to actively supporting the development and growth of innovative and competitive ICT companies such as Southern Cross Computer Systems," he said, noting they hoped Victorian laboratories will help improve Australia's overall IT innovation in the coming years.

"We will continue enhancing our skills in the industry's advanced information technologies and help our customers to fully exploit the benefits," Mark Kalmus, managing director of Southern Cross Computer Systems, said.