AbstractPrevious studies relating to the effects of fire on nutrient cycling in Australian native forests are reviewed. It is apparent that: (a) the action of fire on soil fertility is likely to be important in affecting the functioning of Australian plant communities, (b) work to date only gives a guide as to the nature and magnitude of the effects of fire on some nutrient pools and nutrient cycling processes, but has not established the significance of such effects to the nutrient budget of entire forest systems, or established the links between fire, soil fertility and the functioning of forest communities.The difficulties associated with studying and predicting the long‐term effects of fire on the fertility of forest soils are discussed. A new methodology applicable to study of the interaction between fire and plant nutrition is advocated, and is based on examination of the effects of fire on nutrient stores and flux rates in the soil‐litter compartment of the forest. This approach emphasizes the use of changes in rates of nutrient cycling processes as an index of the‐effects of disturbances such as fire on a forest ecosystem. The application of the methodology in a study of the effects of repeated low‐intensity prescribed burning on soil fertility is discussed