Cladocerans are one of the important groups of zooplankton. Approximately 185 species in 60 genera are currently known from Australian inland waters. This is a significant increase in numbers since the comprehensive review of Australian cladocerans by Smirnov & Timms (1983). In this study, we focus on the 80 or so taxa identified, relocated, described or introduced since then, providing their morphological diagnostics, distribution and ecology. Some of those taxa are very limited in their distribution. Identification and records of species are the first step for any biological conservation programmes that aim at saving a species or many species characteristic of a habitat. We stress the fundamental importance of the science of taxonomy in this respect.