International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
The ISSN system was established within the framework of UNESCO’s World Science Information Program (UNISIST) to control the registration of serials and ISSN allocations worldwide. It is a two-tiered network, with an International Centre in Paris and National Centres in individual member countries.
The Australian ISSN Agency was established in the National Library of Australia in 1973. The Agency has sole responsibility for ISSN allocation to on going serial titles published in Australia.
Details of all serial titles registered by the Australian ISSN Agency are sent to the International Centre and this data is published in the ISSN Portal. The Portal includes more than 1.6 million ISSNs for serials published throughout the world. Please contact sales@issn.org for further information about subscribing to the ISSN Portal.
ISSNs are issued free of charge for approved Australian serial publications that are by Australian publishers and published in Australia.
Why is an ISSN useful?
The ISSN system provides booksellers, publishers, researchers and librarians with a simple and accurate method of identifying a particular serial, even where there is more than one serial with the same or similar title. The ISSN may be incorporated into a barcode. An ISSN is not mandatory for publication.
How is an ISSN constructed?
An ISSN is eight digits long, consisting of seven digits forming a unique title number, followed by a computer check digit. The check digit is a device which guards against the computer accepting an incorrectly transcribed number. It is calculated from the other seven digits and is an efficient system for trapping errors made in copying out the numbers. The system can sometimes result in a check digit with a value of ten. In this case the roman numeral X is used as the check digit, e.g. ISSN 0810-199X
What publications are eligible?
Before starting your ISSN application, please read and confirm you understand the following:
- ISSNs are only assigned to ongoing serial publications (designed to be published regularly and indefinitely, e.g. journals, magazines, annual reports, newsletters etc.)
- ISSNs are only assigned for qualifying Australian serial publications that are by Australian publishers and published in Australia.
A serial is a publication made up of a number of parts issued in sequence and linked by a continuous title. A serial title has a 'designation i.e. each issue or part bears a number and/or date in sequence of publication.
A serial is a continuous publication, intended to continue indefinitely, and includes periodicals such as magazines (e.g. Business Review Weekly), newspapers, newsletters, annual reports, yearbooks, directories, and journals (e.g. History Australia).
Monographs in series may also be a form of serial. These are books which have a distinctive title as well as a collective or 'series title' (e.g. Working paper; Research monograph). All books in the series will be issued by the same publisher in a uniform style, carry a series title and be in a numerical sequence. The series title of the monograph in series may be eligible for an ISSN.
Serials can be published in printed form, or in a range of alternative formats including microfiche, microfilm, CD-ROM and digital version. Serials in all formats may be eligible for the allocation of an ISSN. Where a serial is published in more than one medium, a separate ISSN is usually required for each format. 'Print on demand' is not eligible, e.g. where a print issue is created from the digital version (from pdf).
Examples of publications that are not serials include:
- one-off 'book-a-zines' or ephemeral publications
- posters/broadsheets
- magazine or newspaper special editions
- serials not intended for public circulation
- calendars
- diaries
- sales and mail order catalogues
- fill-in puzzle, crossword style books namely newsagency lines
- commercial websites
- personal web pages and weblogs (blogs)
Multi-volume books are not considered to be serials since they are planned to be published in a limited number of volumes, even if all volumes are not issued simultaneously. Series which are intended to comprise a definite number of individual parts and loose-leaf publications intended for updating with replacement pages are also excluded.
If Australian publishers are unsure whether their publication may be eligible for an ISSN, they should contact the Australian ISSN Agency.
Other standard numbers available from the following suppliers:
- International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) for sound recordings, run by the International ISRC Agency
- International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN) for audiovisual works, run by ISAN Australasia
- International Standard Book Number (ISBN) for books, run by Thorpe-Bowker
- International Standard Music Number (ISMN) for serials, run by the International ISMN Agency
Application process
We have streamlined the ISSN application and enquiry process to improve our publisher services. The structure of the application form has changed. We now have two separate forms for ISSN allocations.
Apply for a new ISSN
Apply for a new ISSN if you title is:
- A new serial publication;
- A current publication has never been assigned an ISSN;
- Published in an additional format concurrently (e.g. you have a print serial that will continue to be published and are also starting to publish an online version).
Submit the ISSN application form
ISSNs are not assigned more than three months before the publication of the first issue, but if possible, an ISSN should be allocated prior to publication.
For online serials an ISSN is allocated after the first issue has been published and the URL has been confirmed.
Please fill in the web form carefully and attach/communicate the following documents/information:
- For print and electronic versions: complete issue or copy (in pdf) of the cover, title page, table of contents and editorial page. The editorial page must show the name and physical Australian address of the publisher.
- For an online version: the URL (electronic address) of the publication.The name and address of the publisher must be displayed on the publication.
- For a mobile version (for e-readers and smartphones): screenshots of the title screen and/or of any other screens showing the name and the address of the publisher.
- For a CD-ROM version: sample or copy (in pdf) of the label affixed on the disc and/or on the container with the name and address of the publisher printed on.
- Please note that it is particularly important for the name of the publisher and the place of publication to be printed or displayed on the resource so that the ISSN centre responsible for the ISSN assignment can be determined accurately.
Change in publication details
A new ISSN number is required if:
- A serial publication has changed title;
- A serial publication has a change of format;
- A publisher associated with a particular serial title changes their name.
- A separate new ISSN may be required if:
- A serial publication has a continuing supplemental publication;
- A serial publication has a continuing subseries, i.e. a separately identified series within a main series.
What happens next?
Once submitted, your application will be assessed by the Agency staff and, if eligible, an ISSN will be assigned within 10 working days.
The ISSN should appear in a prominent position on each issue, i.e. near the title or publisher details. The number should always be printed in two groups of four digits separated by a hyphen.
One copy of the first published issue is required to be forwarded to the Australian ISSN Agency to complete the ISSN registration and for the details to be forwarded for addition to the ISSN International Register. This also helps you meet your legal deposit obligations.
Australian ISSN Agency
National Library of Australia
Canberra ACT 2600
Have a question?
All enquiries must be submitted via an online form. The Agency can no longer be contacted directly by telephone. You will receive a response within 10 working days.
