Reading has been named as a priority of the new Federal arts body, Writing Australia, in the first round of funding, announced today.
Australia Reads is proud to be selected as one of Writing Australia’s delivery partners, with a three-year commitment to delivering programs, research and campaigns to increase reading rates in Australia.
As we know, reading has a range of proven benefits – reducing stress and anxiety, increasing empathy and social connection, and leading to better educational, employment and economic outcomes.
Research shows that while half of Australians want to read more, many of us struggle with the time, confidence, and skills to read regularly – both for ourselves and with our families.
It’s a growing issue for Australians of all ages, with the data showing 30% of adults and young people didn’t read or listen to a book in the last year, and 25% of parents never or rarely read with their children.
The reading crisis is a global concern, with countries including the UK, Singapore and Spain investing heavily in a bid to turn around falling reading rates.
This announcement is a major win for the Australian books and libraries sector, whose organisations have jointly advocated for almost a decade under the Australia Reads banner for increased support for reading.
Without a healthy reading culture, our vibrant ecosystem of publishers, bookstores, libraries and authors cannot continue to thrive.
Australia Reads welcomes Writing Australia’s funding commitments for the sector which represents the first investments from the new $7.8million funding uplift.
Created by Arts Minister Tony Burke as part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to Revive, the National Cultural Policy, Writing Australia has a significant role to play in supporting our vibrant literary sector.
Australia Reads thanks Writing Australia for their support, and welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in reading.
We look forward to working closely with Writing Australia – as well as partners across the sector and beyond – on nationwide strategies to get more Australians reading more books, more often.
Together, we can continue to drive the national conversation on the joys and benefits of reading.
For full citations, visit our key statistics page, or explore our Understanding Australian readers research report.