The invention provides a flow control method and apparatus, and an access device. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining data flow information within a predetermined time period prior to a current moment, wherein the data flow information comprises time points contained within the predetermined time period and data flow corresponding to the time points; determining a nolinear corresponding relation between the data flow and the time points according the obtained data flow information; and controlling the data flow according to the determined nolinear corresponding relation. By adoption of the flow control method and apparatus provided by the invention, the problem of very large deviation between the flow control method and the actual data flow in related art is solved, and thus the effect of accurately controlling the data flow is achieved.