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Calling an NRS user

It is easy to make a call through the NRS to someone who is deaf or has a hearing or speech impairment. And easy to receive them too.

How it works

diagram of calling an NRS user

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Step-by-step

Calling a TTY user

  • If the person you want to call uses a TTY then you can contact them using an ordinary handset by ringing the NRS on 133 677. You will be asked to dial the area code and number of the TTY you wish to call and then transferred to the relay officer.
  • The relay officer will tell you when your call is connected - then just begin your conversation. The relay officer will relay your words to the other person.
  • Depending on whether the other person has a hearing impairment and/or a speech impairment, the relay officer will relay their text into speech, your speech into text, or both. The relay officer will stay on the line to relay all or part of your call as needed and generally help the call to go smoothly.

Calling a Speak and Listen user

  • Some people with speech impairments or difficulties rely on the NRS for their calls because their voice is sometimes difficult to understand on the phone. They make their calls with an ordinary handset and a relay officer stays on the line to re-speak all or part of what they say to the other person. This is known as Speak and Listen or speech-to-speech relay.
  • If you want to ring someone who relies on Speak and Listen relay calls, dial 1300 555 727 and you will be connected to a relay officer.

Internet relay calls

  • If you want to contact someone who uses a TTY you can also ring them through your computer or internet-connected mobile phone. All you need is an internet connection. You can even make the call through Windows Live Messenger or AIM. Find out more.

Equipment

pic of girl calling an NRS user

You don't need any special phone or equipment. You just make an NRS call using the same phone or mobile that you do for ordinary calls.

If your hearing and speech are fine but you would like to call someone who is deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired, you can make a call to them through the NRS. You might have a friend or family member who uses the NRS, or someone might have left you a message and asked you to ring them back through the NRS.

In a typical relay call the relay officer will relay your words where required, and relay the other person's words to you. There are variations depending the hearing or speech needs of the NRS user.

Call costs Standard calls to a NRS user via 133 677 or 1300 555 727 cost about the same as a local call.
Overseas calls and calls to 1900 premium rate numbers require an NRS account and you will be charged the relevant international or premium rate. See more on call costs.

Some tips to help your calls go smoothly

See our short video on Tips for talking to an NRS user.

Make an internet relay call Emergency numbers(and instructions)

24-hour relay call numbers

  • TTY/voice calls

    133 677

  • Speak & Listen

    1300 555 727

Free training
I have a friend who is deaf. Until we discovered the NRS last year, it was almost impossible to converse or keep in touch with her. We now have lengthy conversations about friends, the weather, grandkids etc. The NRS makes a huge difference to her life and to those of us who cannot jump into a car to visit her."

Anne

Armidale, NSW