Rare-earth　permanent　magnet　nanomaterials　have　huge　potential　applications　in　different　technology　areas.　This　paper　reviews　the　surfactant-assisted　ball　milling　(SABM)　technique　which　can　be　used　to　produce　rare-earth　permanent　magnet　materials　and　soft　magnetic　materials,　including　nanoparticles,　nanoflakes　and　nanostructured　bulk　materials.　The　effects　of　milling　time　and　temperature　on　the　morphology　and　magnetic　properties　of　the　nanomaterials　have　been　investigated　systematically.　It　has　been　found　that　low-temperature　ball　milling　leads　to　a　better　control　of　the　nanoparticle　morphology　produced.　On　the　other　hand,　surfactants　play　an　important　role　in　the　milling　process　although　the　mechanism　needs　to　be　further　studied.　©　2015,　The　Editorial　Board　of　Materials　China.　All　right　reserved.