Australia's iconic Reading Writing Hotline has been extended for another three years, connecting thousands more people with foundation skills support to build literacy and numeracy skills for their future.
The Albanese Government has committed $7.4 million to extend TAFE NSW's contract to run the Hotline through to 2029, doubling the investment of the past three years.
The Hotline, launched in 1994, is a free national phone referral information and advisory service that provides confidential support to people seeking to improve their reading and writing.
The Hotline jingle, centred on the number 1300 6 555 06, is well known to millions of Australians and was inducted into the National Film and Sound Archive Sounds of Australia collection in March this year.
The Hotline gets around 4,000 calls annually and the website attracts around 66,000 visits a year.
The Albanese Government, together with state and territory governments, agreed in December 2025 to strengthen and improve the service as part of the 10-year National Foundation Skills Strategy.
This increased investment will:
- support more Australians to access the Hotline;
- further expand the service into regional and remote communities;
- strengthen the service's network with training and support services; and
- improve the hotline's digital presence and national visibility.
The Reading Writing Hotline is part of the Albanese Government's broader investment in foundation skills including Skills for Education and Employment
Anyone can call the Hotline on 1300 6555 06 or go to the Reading Writing Hotline website to get support.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"The Reading Writing Hotline is a national treasure, and over more than 30 years has helped change the lives of countless Australians.
"Everyone should be supported to build their literacy and numeracy skills, on their terms. Too many Australians have faced barriers to getting these skills - barriers that shouldn't have been there. And stigma, too, that it's somehow their fault.
"It's not. That's what our Government is committed to changing through our funding for the Reading Writing Hotline - so Australians in every corner of our country can benefit from literacy and numeracy support."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan:
"Strong foundation skills open doors. The Reading Writing Hotline helps people take that first step.
"Everyone deserves the chance to learn, grow and reach their potential, regardless of where they start.
"By partnering with TAFE NSW, we're expanding access to support and training, helping thousands more people build their skills, find new opportunities and participate more fully in work and community life."
