Telstra makes mobile calls to Kids Helpline free

Telstra has announced that all calls on the Telstra mobile network to Kids Helpline will be at no cost to the caller.

Kids Helpline is a service of BoysTown and provides a 24-hour counselling service for children and young people across Australia.

While these calls are free from landlines, costs have previously been incurred for calls from the Telstra mobile network. Children and young people who have mobile connections with either Optus or Vodafone have been able to call Kids Helpline for free, with Optus having offered free calls to the service for over 10 years and Vodafone since 2011.

Advocates for children and young people, including Queensland Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian, Elizabeth Fraser, on behalf of the Australian Children’s Commissioners and Guardians (ACCG), have written to Telstra and the Australian Government to call on them to waive the mobile phone call costs to Kids Helpline.

The ACCG recognises the significant role played by services such as Kids Helpline in providing children and young people with access to mental health and support services.

Last Updated: April 18, 2012

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