The group was founded in 2013 as the Australian Open Access Support Group, AOASG. In 2015, with the addition of members from New Zealand and a change of focus, it became the Australasian Open Access Strategy Group.
In 2021, we became Open Access Australasia.
We support all models of open access, and in particular we endorse the principles of the F.A.I.R. Access Policy Statement for research outputs to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, ensuring they can be part of the global research ecosystem.
We are committed to advocating for and raising awareness of open access in Australia and New Zealand through collaboration regionally and internationally and building capacity and expertise within this region.
This website aims to be an authoritative source of information on all aspects of open access in Australia and New Zealand.
Our major focus is on open access to research publications – preprints, peer reviewed scholarly manuscripts, books, monographs and theses. We also contribute to initiatives in open research practices, data, software, open educational resources, reform of research assessment and copyright and open licenses.
The Patron of Open Access Australasia is Emeritus Professor Tom Cochrane, Faculty of Law at QUT.
Open Access Australasia Strategy 2023-2024
Principles
The principles that underpin the work of Open Access Australasia are:
- Equity in scholarly communications, to both access and publish research
- Support for a diverse ecosystem of open access approaches
- Support for integrity and quality in research
- Maximisation of the impact of research
- Appropriate and respectful use of Indigenous knowledges
- Retention of rights by authors or their institutions
Our strategic priorities for 2023-2024
- Advocate and lead on discussions for diverse approaches on open access and open research strategies nationally, regionally and internationally
- Be the authoritative regional resource for open access and open research in Australasia
- Strengthen existing and build new partnerships regionally and internationally.
Related initiatives
Though our work will continue to focus primarily on open access, we are mindful of the need to ensure that it aligns with work regionally and globally on open research initiatives more widely. We will continue to monitor developments across the entire research lifecycle and will participate as appropriate.
Rationale and specific activities associated with strategic priorities
Advocate and lead in discussions for diverse approaches to open access and open research
Rationale
Open Access has developed rapidly over the past 2 years and there is now a need for strong leadership and advocacy on a diversity of approaches to open access.
Specific Activities
- Influence work in Australia on open access through meeting policy makers and other key groups and individuals
- Support open access developments in Aotearoa New Zealand, including through the Open Access working group
- Promote the work of UNESCO and other national and international work on Open Science, including through the Australian Open Science Network
- Respond to government and other policy consultations
- Be proactive in writing and other dissemination on open access and open science
Be the authoritative regional resource for open access and open research in Australasia
Rationale
There is a need for unique Australasian content and resources tailored to this region.
Specific Activities
- Maintain and further develop the website as an authoritative source of information and resources on open access
- Contribute to or lead research on open access and open research
- Develop and run online courses and provide other resources on open access
- Succession planning
Strengthen existing and build new partnerships regionally in Australasia and internationally
Rationale
As open access uptake increases across the region, there is an associated increase in the need for diverse communities of practice to support experts and other practitioners in Open access
Specific Activities
- Develop the Australian Open Access Community of Practice group
- Run regional and international webinar series to promote awareness of the diversity of open access approaches
- Engage with our membership through practitioner working groups
- Continue to diversify and grow membership