  We present a self-consistent, absolute isochronal age scale for young (< 200
Myr), nearby (< 100 pc) moving groups, which is consistent with recent lithium
depletion boundary ages for both the Beta Pic and Tucana-Horologium moving
groups. This age scale was derived using a set of semi-empirical
pre-main-sequence model isochrones that incorporate an empirical colour-Teff
relation and bolometric corrections based on the observed colours of Pleiades
members, with theoretical corrections for the dependence on log g. Absolute
ages for young, nearby groups are vital as these regions play a crucial role in
our understanding of the early evolution of low- and intermediate-mass stars,
as well as providing ideal targets for direct imaging and other measurements of
dusty debris discs, substellar objects and, of course, extrasolar planets.
