A study of the education and training of nurses in Australia by the Tertiary Education Commission of Australia is presented. In September 1977 the Minister for Education appointed a committee to advise the Commission on possible developments and changes in nurse education and training. Data were collected from visits and consultations with representatives of hospitals, professional nursing organizations, and related health care professionals. The report includes a brief historical review of the nursing profession and the current system of nurse education and training. Investigation into the current supply of Australian nurses and the financing and costs of their education revealed a lack of data about the number of nurses, their distribution by age, sex, qualification, type of practice, and geographical location. Problems related to hospital-based nurse education and issues influencing future nurse preparation are examined. Also addressed are: expansion and costs of nurse education in colleges of advanced education, psychiatric nursing and mental deficiency nursing, post-basic nurse education, and continuing education. Recommendations from the study focus on standardizing the accreditation and quality of nursing education. Specific recommendations are included for: basic nursing courses, post-basic courses, nurse educator programs, nursing staff development opportunities, and continuing education. It is also suggested that resources be made available by both the health and education systems for research into nursing education and evaluation of present nurse education programs. (BH)