National Relay Service

The NRS is an Australia-wide phone service for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment.

It is also available to anyone who wants to call a person with a hearing or speech impairment.

If you are deaf and/or find it hard hearing or speaking with people who use a phone, the National Relay Service (NRS) can help you.

A call through the NRS lets you communicate with a hearing person who is using a phone even if you can’t hear or don’t use your voice.
The NRS has specially trained staff called Relay Officers who help with every call.
Depending on the type of call, a Relay Officer will change voice to text or text to voice and AUSLAN to English or English to AUSLAN.
Relay officers stay on the line throughout each call to help it go smoothly, but don’t change or get in the way of what is being said.
Depending on your hearing and speech, and equipment you have, you can choose from one or more relay call types.

Who this service is for

The NRS is available to everyone at no additional charge.

Opening Hours

Except for calls made through Video Relay, the NRS is available 24 Hours a day, every day.

How this service is delivered

  • Call or visit us online

    Contact us or see our website for further information.

NRS Fact Sheet

You can download our fact sheet – NRS – an introduction to relay calls here

Download Fact Sheet

Updated: 07/09/2021