The National Centre for Research on Rural Education (NCRRE), located at the University of Western Australia, was established in November 1980, to undertake research on educational problems in rural Australia, which include isolation, cultural heterogeneity and underdevelopment, insufficient resources, technical inadequacies, and economic deficiencies, affecting a rural school-age population of 451,000. Plans to establish NCRRE evolved from discussion and conclusions at a national conference on rural education held in Perth in November 1979. Pedagogical, economic, social, geographic, and demographic factors insofar as they bear on education in rural Australia are the objects of the Centre's interests. In addition to research on major issues and problems in rural education, the work of NCRRE is expected to include several other activities that may lead to improved rural education, including sponsorship of seminars, symposia, and conferences; development of a base for cooperative efforts and the exchange of ideas; operation of a clearinghouse for gathering and disseminating information; publication and dissemination of research results; and support of in-service actitities. A Board of Management with nationwide representation gives the Centre policy direction. Centre personnel are staff members of the University's Department of Education; the director reports to the head of the Department of Education. (CM)