Author guidelines for Australian Institute of Family Studies publications
Institute publications are designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of readers. Papers should be accessible and engaging to our informed and interested audience. A clear, concise, straightforward writing style, using direct language and with a minimum of specialist jargon, is preferred for all Institute publications. Please note the Commonwealth of Australia holds copyright to all articles published in Institute publications (see Copyright information).
For author guidelines for specific publications, see the following:
- Guidelines for writing for Family Matters
- Guidelines for writing for the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault newsletter
- Guidelines for writing for the Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse newsletter
- Guidelines for writing for the National Child Protection Clearinghouse
AIFS style
All submitted material should conform to the Institute's house style. The Institute uses the referencing style described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th edition, 2001, but otherwise generally follows the style recommended by the Australian Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers (6th edition, 2002). Spelling should conform to the Macquarie Dictionary.
Specific details about the AIFS house style and examples of usage, spelling, referencing and other important information for authors are available in the Australian Institute of Family Studies Style Guide (PDF 304 KB).
Copyright
Authors should note that all Australian Institute of Family Studies publications are copyright to the Commonwealth of Australia. Once submitted papers are accepted for publication, the authors are required to confirm their agreement with the copyright conditions by completing the copyright agreement form.
Authors intending to use copyright material in their own publication - including Commonwealth of Australia copyright material - must seek prior permission from the copyright holder, and should not wait until close to the time of publishing, as it may take over a month to receive an answer. To avoid delays in the publishing schedule, permission should be sought as soon as the material has been identified and intended for use.
The Commonwealth Copyright Administration (CCA) is responsible for the management of copyright in published materials on behalf of Commonwealth agencies. Authors are required to seek permission from the CCA to reproduce their Institute-published work in other journals and elsewhere. Requests can be submitted online through the Commonwealth Copyright Request Form on the Attorney-General's Department website.