QLD Premier’s reading challenge invites early childhood participation in final weeks

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are encouraged to join the final weeks of the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge, a State-wide initiative designed to foster a love of reading and strengthen literacy skills from the earliest years.

The annual Challenge invites children of all ages to explore books and storytelling, with a collective goal for 2025 of completing two million books before Friday 22 August. More than 100,000 students and children are already participating, and early childhood services are now invited to add their voices and tallies to the State-wide effort.

For early childhood services, the dedicated participation period runs from 11–22 August 2025, providing a two-week window to celebrate reading through engaging literacy activities, book sharing, and storytelling events. Participation involves recording the number of children involved and their engagement with books, texts or other literacy experiences. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to register and share reading experiences at home, further embedding positive reading habits.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is officially sponsored in 2025 by Queensland University of Technology’s Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice. Registrations opened in April, with the reading period for students in Prep to Year 9 beginning on Tuesday 6 May. While the reading period ends on Friday 22 August, coordinators have until Friday 5 September to register their school or centre’s participation.

This year’s Challenge forms part of the State Government’s “Year of Reading” initiative, supported by enhanced resources, teacher training, and targeted masterclasses to refocus attention on literacy. The program complements broader reforms, including the introduction of mandatory Year 1 phonics and numeracy checks to provide early, reliable measures of progress and reduce the risk of students falling behind.

The State Government has backed these commitments through a $21.9 billion Education Budget, which includes $1.09 billion to build 15 new schools and $222.1 million for the More Teachers, Better Education Plan. This plan aims to reduce administrative burdens for teachers, address classroom behaviour, and create safer learning environments.

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the Premier’s Reading Challenge was an important and enjoyable way to reinforce core literacy skills.

“The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a free and fun initiative that encourages children of all ages to discover the joys of reading,” Mr Langbroek said.

“This year we have already had 862 schools and 566 individual readers register, but we would love to see more services and families involved in these final weeks. It’s wonderful to see our little learners joining in.”

ECEC services wishing to participate can register online and begin logging their reading activities immediately. The final count will contribute to the 2025 target and support the broader goal of lifting literacy outcomes for Queensland children.

For more information and to register, visit the Premiers reading challenge.