Patients in a medium-sized Australian suburban general hospital were asked to complete a pre-operative questionnaire concerning their desire for information about their impending anaesthesia. The results are compared with those of Canadian and Scottish studies published recently. The Australian patients had a higher preference for information about complications, although some patients, mainly elderly, did not want to know about unpleasant aspects of peri-operative procedures or potential complications. As in the other countries, patients under the age of 50 years had a greater desire for information than those who were older (p < 0.05). All national groups accorded highest priority to meeting the anaesthetist before surgery. The results are discussed in relationship to the requirements for informed consent.