The definition of 'Australian' and 'Literature' moves according to current debates and changing reading, teaching and research patterns. While AustLit aims to be as inclusive as possible, and to respond to current research interests, it also draws boundaries for reasons of both cohesiveness and resourcing limits. These boundaries are explained fully in our Scope Policy.

AustLit's coverage is stronger in some areas than in others. Periodical and newspaper literature, for example, is much more comprehensively covered from 1988 than for earlier years. Some specialist areas are rich and virtually complete, while others continue to evolve. Coverage of the nation's major newspapers is extensive but not exhaustive and websites and e-journals will inevitably mushroom faster than we can keep up with them.

AustLit's Advisory Board ensures that broad decisions about inclusion and about the relative weight given to certain works, authors, or classes of works is closely aligned with research and learning needs.

AustLit was formed in 2001 by a merger of a number of separate specialist databases, each of which had a different focus and inclusion parameters. Since then Austlit has worked to correct unevenness and gaps in bibliographic coverage. Until this process is complete, some AustLit data is insufficiently comprehensive to be used for statistical analyses.

Researchers wishing to use figures derived from AustLit are welcome to contact us at info-austlit@austlit.edu.au for advice.