Changes to Publisher Agreements from 2026

After 31 December 2025, you may notice some changes to open access publishing agreements that affect read (access to content) and publishing for some journals. 

These changes are the result of:

• New agreements signed with Spring Nature and Wiley (November 28)
• Landmark new open access agreement with publisher Taylor & Francis and a pause in national negotiations with Elsevier for a new agreement for 2026 (November 13)

We will continue to support the University of Sydney community to access journal content and identify appropriate high-quality publishing options for research. Read our advice below and contact your Librarian for specialist support.

Publishing in Elsevier journals for Sydney researchers in 2026

You can still choose to publish in Elsevier journals, however any Article Processing Charges (APC’s) that may apply from 2026 will no longer be covered by a Read and Publish agreement and cannot be funded from University of Sydney Library budgets. If you choose this option, you will need to allocate internal or project funds for open access publishing in Elsevier journals.
 

We recommend the following options:

1. Choose a fully open access journal using our guidance on appropriate high-quality journals
2. Choose an alternative journal covered by different University of Sydney Read and Publish Agreement
3. Publish in a hybrid Elsevier journal without paying an APC, then deposit the Author Accepted Manuscript (post-print) in Sydney eScholarship, our green open access repository. Most journal publishers allow this, usually with an embargo period. You can use Open Policy Finder to check publisher requirements and open access policies or you can check your publisher/author agreement.
    

We can support you with:

• guidance on publishing your work
• information about the open access options available