Submission Guide

There are 13 key themes that presenters are encouraged to address at Ozwater’23.
See Call for Papers for detailed outlines and topic suggestions.

Theme 01: Communities of the Future

Theme 02: Excellence in Operations

Theme 03: Asset Management, Planning & Delivery

Theme 04: Delivering Excellence in Customer Experience

Theme 05: Advances in People, Culture, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

Theme 06: First Nations People Knowledge & Participation

Theme 07: Leadership in Governance & Progressive Regulation

Theme 08: Safeguarding Community & Environmental Health

Theme 09: The Water Nexus: Achieving a Circular Economy

Theme 10: Responding to Climate Change & Extreme Events

Theme 11: Resilience & Water Security for the Future

Theme 12: Rural, Remote & Regional Water

Theme 13: Wildcard

What types of submissions can be made?

Extended Abstract

An extended abstract is a research paper where its ideas and significance can be understood in less than an hour. 

● Ozwater extended abstracts must be a maximum of 2 pages of text, followed by a maximum of 3 pages of tables or graphs.

● Please do not include references or acknowledgements in this abstract. If your abstract is accepted for presentation, references can be added to the final paper.

Case Study

Case studies describe real-life water scenarios or projects.

● Case studies can be presented on behalf of an individual or organisation.

● The case study should outline the issue, analysis, solution and evaluate the project results and impact.

● Ozwater case studies must be a maximum of 2 pages of text, followed by a maximum of 3 pages of tables or graphs.

Video Pitch

Use this to pitch your presentation idea if video is the best platform to showcase your project.

● Video may include marketing campaigns, community engagement or customer projects.

● Video pitches must run for 4 minutes or less.

● If your video pitch is accepted, a written paper is required for presentation.

How are submissions selected?

submission guide timeline_2-2

Key Ozwater'23 Dates for Presenters

Action	Key dates	20-minute Technical Presentation	5-minute Pitch Presentation
Presenter Registration due	Friday, 10 February 2023	Compulsory	Compulsory
Full paper Submission due	Friday, 10 February 2023	Compulsory	Optional
Full paper reviewing starts	Monday, 13 February 2023	Compulsory	Optional
Full paper reviewing ends	Friday, 3 March 2023	Compulsory	Optional
A1 Poster Artwork due	Friday, 24 March 2023	Not applicable	Compulsory
Revised full paper due	Friday, 14 April 2023	Optional	Optional
Final presentation due	Friday, 28 April 2023	Compulsory	Compulsory

Preparing your submission

Submissions must relate to the conference sub-themes.
Submissions must use the correct template to submit an abstract, case study or video pitch.
Submissions must be made via the submission portal. Submissions emailed to AWA will not be considered.
Submission titles should be clear and concise – under 20 words.
You may submit more than one abstract, case study, or video pitch.
Presenters can only be featured in the Ozwater’23 program once as a speaker. If multiple submissions are accepted, you will be asked to nominate an alternate speaker.
Submissions must be based on outcomes, not future projects.
The paper submitted into the Ozwater’23 program must not have been presented or published previously. This does not apply to papers that have been presented at a conference hosted by AWA or published via AWA Water e-journal.
Submissions may be amended or withdrawn before  Monday, 19 September 2022 (Midnight, AEST).

Submission checklist

By submitting an abstract, case study, or video pitch, it will be assumed that all authors have consented to its submission and that all copyright provisions have been met.
If accepted for a 20-minute Technical Presentation, a full paper is compulsory.
Abstracts and/or full papers will appear online and will be made available to attendees and to the public 3 months after the event date.
Ozwater is Australia’s leading water conference and exhibition: only submissions of the highest quality will be accepted.
Any submission of a commercial or marketing nature will not be accepted.
Peer review of abstracts and full papers will be made available once the reviewing closes.

Preparing your presentation

By submitting an abstract, case study or video pitch you agree to the following conditions and due dates.

All presentations

You confirm copyright ownership and originality of the paper and the work.
A headshot and 100-word biography will be submitted by Friday, 10 February 2023.
A paid registration at a discounted speaker registration rate will be completed by Tuesday, 31 January 2023 by all Ozwater’23 presenters and co-presenters.
A PowerPoint presentation will be submitted by Friday, 28 April 2023 (to be included in the conference proceedings).
You confirm the paper has not been previously published in any other form and that the Australian Water Association will be granted permission to publish the paper – this must be confirmed at time of abstract submission. *This does not apply to papers that have been presented at a conference or event hosted by AWA or published via AWA Water e-journal.
That you or a nominated speaker will be available to present during Ozwater’23 in Sydney, Australia during 10-12 May 2023.

20-minute presentations

A full paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings will be submitted by Friday, 10 February 2023.
A revised full paper (*optional) will be submitted by Friday, 14 April 2023 (to be included in the conference proceedings).

5-minute presentations

A1 Technical Poster Artwork will be submitted by Friday, 24 March 2023.

Please ensure you can meet the terms and conditions before you submit an abstract or proposal.

Abstract selection criteria

All abstracts for technical papers, case studies and video pitches are peer-reviewed by water industry professionals and academics and scored. AWA staff are not part of the review process.

Submissions are judged on:

Relationship and significance to the themes of the conference
Contribution to the water sector
Technical and case study content
Interest and significance to the Ozwater audience
Status of the project
Quality (spelling, grammar and layout, production values)

Top-scoring abstracts are sent to the Ozwater’23 program committee for additional review, and a draft program is established.

How to lodge your submission

Access the submission portal.
Select> Login
Select> New User? Click Here
Complete the form and Save
Once you are logged in, select> Submissions
Select> add new
Choose your Submission Group
Add Presentation Title
Select type of submission
Upload completed submission template
Save & Submit

Once your submission is complete, the page will look like below. You will also receive a system generated confirmation email. Please check your junk email.

Submission complete upon receiving confirmation email.

Ozwater'23 Submission Guide