Counseling needs of external students at the University of Queensland, Australia, were evaluated in 1980. Attention was directed to respondents' characteristics, students' difficulties and perceived needs for assistance, students' use of Division of External Studies' (DES) services, and students' views of distance learning. Of the 1,589 mailed questionnaires, 1,245 responses were obtained. Most of the respondents were adults who had family, work, and other responsibilities and who were studying to improve their present professional qualifications or to gain new ones. Responses indicated a need for more and earlier pre-enrollment course planning advice and subject information, both in printed form and through personal discussion. Relatively few students who discontinued courses consulted a member of the university regarding this decision. Despite the maturity of DES students, many wanted to improve their study performance. Many respondents indicated interest in increasing personal contacts with DES staff members in order to discuss subject content, students' aspirations, and arrangements for receiving and giving information. In many instances, suggestions were made for changes in the educational practices followed by DES. Appendices specify objectives that could be served by the work of an educational counselor in the DES and illustrate ways in which the work of a counselor might supplement steps already being taken to assist prospective students from the initial stage of seeking information about DES. Information that might be supplied to prospective entrants and to new students is included. (SW)