Since 1849, The Royal Society of Tasmania has published annual volumes of refereed scholarly papers about Tasmania in the Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania and, from time to time, monographs and special, generally thematic, issues of the journal. Its authors are from institutions worldwide and its subscribers include learned societies, research institutions and universities all over the world. Volumes have been published annually since 1851.

Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania is Open Access. Papers are freely and openly available after a one-year embargo. Before this time, single papers are available to purchase, through subscription or through membership of The Royal Society of Tasmania. Normally one issue is published per year, depending on the number of accepted papers in a given year.

Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania publishes research with a particular, but not exclusive, focus on Tasmanian and Antarctic natural science and history. Papers in the arts, social sciences or other disciplines with a focus or association on these same geographic areas are also encouraged. Papers are accepted from researchers worldwide providing the topic is of specific interest to the Tasmanian community.

Papers should embody the results of a significant piece of original work or offer an original synthesis or review. Submission implies that the contents are original and have not been published previously in any form, and that no similar manuscript will be submitted elsewhere.

Manuscripts submitted to Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania are peer-reviewed. Further details on the submission and peer-review processes are provided in the Instructions to Authors.