SMS Relay (Text and Listen)

How does an SMS Relay (Text and Listen) call work?

Flow chart demonstrating how an SMS Relay (Text and Listen) call works. Long description located below image. — An SMS Relay (Text and Listen) call begins with you texting your side of the conversation. The Relay Officer talks. The other person listens. The other person talks. You listen to the responses, and the steps are repeated.

What equipment is needed?

You just need a mobile phone to use SMS Relay. It doesn’t need an internet connection and doesn’t need to be a smartphone. You can put your phone on speaker or use earphones to listen to the other person.

How much will it cost?

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

Step-by-step instructions

- 1.
  
  Send an SMS to 0423 677 767.
  Include the following information in the SMS
  T&L or Text and Listen
  GA (Go ahead) at the end of your message
  Type the area code and number you want to call in the SMS (Text).
  Put your phone on speaker or use earphones.
- 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 you are transferred to a Relay Officer who will call the other person.
- 4.
  
  Wait for an automated message telling you that the Relay Officer is setting up the call for SMS Text and Listen.
  “RO here. Please be advised you are about to receive a call to set up your text and listen.”
- 5.
  
  Wait for your phone to ring.
  Answer the call to listen to the other person.
- 6.
  
  If you need to answer, send another text message.
  Type “GA” (Go Ahead) at the end of your message if you want the other person to answer.
  Or text “SKSK” (Stop Keying. Stop Keying) if you have finished your call.
- 7.
  
  When your call is ended, the Relay Officer will ask if you want to make another call:
  “RO here. Would you like to make another call?“
- 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:
  “Welcome to the NRS. You have a caller waiting for you. Please reply to this message to accept the call”.
- 3.
  
  Reply to the text:
  “This is (your name)”.
  “TL” (Text and Listen).
  ”GA” (Go ahead)’.
  If you don’t answer within two minutes, the Relay Officer will ask for an answer. If there is no answer after another two minutes, the NRS will end the call.
- 4.
  
  Wait for your phone to ring. Answer the call to listen to the person who is calling you.
- 5.
  
  If you need to answer, send your reply 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
  T&L or Text and Listen
  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.
  
  You will receive this text when the Relay Officer is setting up the call for SMS Text and Listen:
  “RO here. Please be advised you are about to receive a call to set up your text and listen.”
  Put your phone on speaker or use earphones.
- 5.
  
  Wait for your phone to ring.
  Listen to the ESO and answer all questions from the ESO by text.
- 6.
  
  Do not hang up. Keep listening to the ESO until the Relay Officer tells you the call is finished.