Australia Reads
Momentum is growing for reading reform in Australia, with Australia Reads securing Government support to get more Australians reading, more often.
Faced with a global decline in reading rates, Australia is one of many countries ‘stepping up’ to increase recreational reading.
Australia Reads launches today as an independent not-for-profit organisation, steered by an experienced Board of Directors from the publishing, libraries, literature and retail sectors.
The move is supported by the Federal Government, as Australia Reads becomes a delivery partner of arts body Writing Australia, with a three-year funding commitment to build reading engagement.
Reading is vital to a healthier, happier and more connected country. Regular reading for pleasure has proven benefits for mental and physical health, education and employment, and empathy and social cohesion.
While half of Australians want to read more, many of us struggle with the time, confidence, and skills to read regularly. 30% of adults and young people haven’t read a book in the last year, and 25% of parents never or rarely read with their children. The problem is predicted to cost our economy $40 billion.
