The review examines the relevance of the recurrent education concept in the Australian context. It traces the evolution of the concept and distils the features which distinguish it from other models of educational provision. Using an economic perspective the review assesses the major arguments advanced for recurrent education in terms of its implications for the internal operations of the education sector, the relationships between education and the labour market and the distribution of educational opportunities between and within generations. Consideration is also given to the likely costs of recurrent education programs and the need to develop appropriate financing mechanisms. The review concludes that recent and prospective developments in Australian labour market, particularly those associated with technological change, support a more systematic provision of recurrent education programs. However, cost and social equity considerations suggest that such programs be targeted to serve groups with special needs.