About this guide
This guide is designed to help you understand open access (OA) and support you in making informed decisions about where and how to publish your research.
Read through the outlines below to learn what is covered in each section. You can navigate to these sections via the menu on the left.
Open access publishing: Discover how OA makes research freely available, promotes equity to all, and how you can take action for more fair, transparent and scholar-led research publishing practices.
Publisher ethics and predatory publishing: Learn about publisher ethics and how to identify trusted journals.
Open access for books: Explore the different ways a book or book chapter can be made open access.
Open access for journal articles: Explore the different ways to make your journal articles open access.
Read & Publish agreements: Find out how Deakin’s Read & Publish agreements can help you publish open access without paying article processing charges (APCs).
Open access publishing checklist: This section steps you through the publishing process for open access journal articles - from choosing a journal to submitting your article, and at the acceptance stage and beyond.
Deakin Library’s Open Research Position Statement
At Deakin, we believe open research fosters an environment of transparency, inclusivity and innovation. By making research publicly available wherever possible, we dismantle barriers to knowledge and drive positive societal impact.
In 2025 Deakin University’s Academic Board approved Deakin Library’s Open Research Position Statement, which includes four foundational principles of open research and six institutional commitments. Additionally, the University-wide Open Access Taskforce recommended that Deakin University develop a formalised open access policy. Work to develop an OA policy is currently underway.
Open access is also encouraged through the Research Publication and Dissemination Procedure and the Research Repository Procedure.
Help with open access
Our Scholarly Services Librarians are ready to help you with any questions about open access.
Please feel free to contact your librarian or request a librarian research consultation.