Young Australians Reading: From Keen to Reluctant Readers

In 2000, the Centre for Youth Literature and the Australia Council conducted a national research project investigating the reading habits and preferences of young Australians between the ages of 10 and 18. Young Australians Reading is the final report from this project. 

Questions addressed by the project

• Do keen readers in primary school become increasingly reluctant to read as they progress through secondary school?
• Is the media correct in its assumptions that most teenagers don't want to read - and that 'the book is dead'?
• What are the barriers that prevent young people from reading?
• Does our culture, with its emphasis on new technology, sport and entertainment, contribute to perceptions among young people, particularly males, that it is 'uncool' to be a reader?

Key research findings

• 74% of all 10-18 year olds claim to like reading to some extent
• 76% of primary and 46% of secondary students read 'every few days'
• 64% would like to read more
• 56% of primary and 78% of secondary students found required reading at school 'boring'
• girls are more likely to say they enjoy reading than boys (86% vs 70%)
• fewer than 20% of the target group consider their school or public libraries inviting or able to meet their recreational reading needs.

Young Australians Reading will be of interest and benefit to a wide range of people, particularly policy makers, teachers, school and public librarians, parents, publishers and booksellers.

How to obtain a copy of the report

This publication is out of print, however, a copy of the report can downloaded in PDF format from this page. 

 Young Australians Reading Report PDF 1.87mb

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