The purposes of this study was to review and redevelop the Standards of Practice for Mental Health Nurses in Australia published by the Australian and New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses in 1995. Since that time there have been significant changes in the delivery of mental health care in Australia. The final outcome of this 3 year research program has been the development of nine New Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses, a Vision Statement and a Values Statement. Each of the nine standards includes a rationale, practice outcomes and the attributes of knowledge, skills and attitudes required to deliver the highest standard of nursing care for people with a mental health problem.