SMS Relay

How does an SMS Relay call work?

Flow chart demonstrating how an SMS Relay call works. Long description located below image. — An SMS Relay begins with you texting your side of the conversation. The Relay Officer talks. The hearing person listens. The hearing person talks. The Relay Officer types what the hearing person is saying. You read the responses on your screen as text, and the steps are repeated.

What equipment is needed?

You only need a mobile phone to use SMS Relay. It doesn’t need an internet connection and doesn’t need to be a smartphone.

How much will it cost?

An SMS to the NRS costs the same as any other SMS message, which depends on your mobile phone plan.

Things to remember

SMS Relay is useful to send or receive a simple message or have a simple two- or three-message conversation.
Usually it’s fast but sometimes it can take minutes or even hours before an SMS is delivered. This means it’s generally not useful for long conversations.

If you want to use SMS Relay, you must include your mobile number on the registration form when you register for the NRS.

Step-by-step instructions

- 1.
  
  Send an SMS to 0423 677 767.
  
  Type the area code and number you want to call in the SMS (Text).
- 2.
  
  Wait for an automated welcome message from the NRS to confirm that the SMS has been received.
  
  “Thank you for contacting the National Relay Service, your message has been received and we will be with you shortly.”
- 3.
  
  There will be a short wait while the Relay Officer calls the other person and introduces the call to them.
- 4.
  
  Wait for text greeting, response and ‘GA’ from the other person.
- 5.
  
  If you need to answer, send another message. Type ‘GA’ at the end of your message if you want the other person to respond or type SKSK (Stop Keying. Stop Keying) if you have finished your call.
- 6.
  
  When the other person texts SKSK, the call will end.
- 7.
  
  The Relay Officer will ask if you want to make another call:
  
  “(RO here. Would you like to make another call?) ga“
- 8.
  
  If you do, text the area code and number you want to call.
- 1.
  
  To receive an SMS Relay call through the NRS, your caller will need to call the NRS on 133 677 and:
  
  provide your number and name; and
  
  ask to be connected to you.
- 2.
  
  You will receive the following SMS from the NRS from this number: 0481 612 432
  
  “This is a message from the NRS. Someone is contacting you via SMS – Receive a call. Please reply to this message to start your NRS session.”
- 3.
  
  Reply to the text:
  
  “This is (your name). GA (Go ahead).”
- 4.
  
  Wait for a text from your caller and ‘GA’ at the end of the message.
- 5.
  
  If you need to answer, send another text.
  
  Type ‘GA’ at end of every text if you want your caller to respond or type ‘SKSK’ (Stop Keying. Stop Keying) if you have finished your call.
- 6.
  
  When you read SKSK from your caller, the call will be finished.
- 1.
  
  Send an SMS to 0423 677 767.
  
  Include the following information in the SMS
  
  000
  
  FIRE or POLICE or AMBULANCE
  
  Your name
  
  Location of emergency including the address or landmark
  
  Brief details about the emergency
  
  GA (Go ahead) at the end of your message.
- 2.
  
  Wait for an automated welcome message from the NRS to confirm that the SMS has been received.
- 3.
  
  Wait to be transferred to a Relay Officer and for the Relay Officer to relay the message to the Emergency Services Officer (ESO).
- 4.
  
  Wait for message from the ESO and for ‘GA’ before replying each time.
- 5.
  
  Answer all questions from the ESO.
- 6.
  
  Do not hang up. Keep watching the mobile phone until the Relay Officer tells you the call is finished.