Major Negotiations

Achieving greater outcomes for Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand (AAoNZ) CAUL Members

Universities in the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand (AAoNZ) region are navigating a complex and shifting landscape marked by policy uncertainty, immense financial pressure, and escalating calls for demonstrable community and industry impact. Maintaining public trust in research and improving universities’ social licence depends on transparent, reproducible scholarship and responsible stewardship of public funds. In this context, a sustainable and affordable approach to open research is vital for the sustainability of our institutions and the preservation of credibility and trust, as well as maximising the value and impact of the research in the region. 

Further information for CAUL member library staff, including briefings, FAQs and other downloadable resources (login required).

CAUL Negotiation Objectives

  • Ensuring transparent, fair and equitable value 
  • Maximising open access publishing opportunities 
  • Exploring new and innovative agreement models 
  • Advancing the transition to full OA 

These objectives build on existing agreement principles and statements that provide value frameworks for new agreements:   

Approach and timeline  

2026 will be a year to build on successes achieved during 2025 with the world’s four largest scholarly publishers (Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Springer Nature and Wiley). 
Negotiations in 2026 will focus on a new set of publishers, recalibrating the terms that underpin our major agreements and reasserting CAUL’s role in shaping fair, equitable models. The anticipated timeline includes:  

  • January – April 2026: Negotiation preparations – engagement with UA/UNZ, engagement with Members, establishment of new working groups, COANSC commencement, and development of CAUL’s initial proposals   
  • May–August 2026: Negotiations commence; Publishers respond with counter-offers  
  • September–October 2026: Negotiations continue; CAUL and institutional representatives finalise targets and contingency strategies.  
  • November: Negotiation outcomes confirmed by COANSC and CAUL Board  
  • December 2026: Agreements confirmed, or contingency plans initiated  

Sector involvement and alignment  

Negotiations will ensure representation from diverse institutions across the AAoNZ region. Working groups have been established to support the CAUL Procurement team in developing detailed negotiation plans, while the establishment of the CAUL Open Access Negotiation Strategy Committee (COANSC) will ensure the voice of senior academic leaders are represented clearly in the negotiations. Diversity will be central to the creation of these groups and committees.  

Further reading and press articles

For further information  

Hero Macdonald | Chair, Content Procurement Committee  

Angus Cook | Director, Content Procurement Service

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