Minister for Education and the Arts The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek

15 May 2026

MEDIA STATEMENT: Premier’s Reading Challenge powers up for 21st year

• The Crisafulli Government has launched the 2026 Premier’s Reading Challenge across Queensland. 
• Marking 21 years in 2026, the Challenge has inspired more than 2.5 million students to read more than 34 million books since it began in 2006.
• This year’s theme, The Power of Reading, introduces ‘reading heroes’ to celebrate reading milestones and motivate students to achieve their goals. 
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and getting back to the basics after a decade of decline and neglect under Labor.  

The Crisafulli Government has launched the 2026 Premier’s Reading Challenge to inspire a love of reading among students and to help lift literacy results across Queensland.  

Children from early childhood to Year 9 are encouraged to read or experience 15 or 20 books during the Challenge, which runs from 11 May to 28 August for school students and 17 to 28 August for early childhood centres. 

This year’s theme, The Power of Reading, introduces the concept of ‘reading heroes’ to celebrate reading milestones and motivates students to achieve their reading goals. 

It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future and getting back to the basics to lift literacy and numeracy results, after a decade of decline and neglect under the former Labor Government.  

Over the past year, additional reading and literacy resources have rolled out across Queensland state schools to boost student results, while the introduction of mandatory phonics checks for Year 1s has ensured children start their school journey with strong foundations.  

Actions to reduce paperwork for teachers to give them more time in the classroom are being implemented through the Crisafulli Government’s Red Tape Reduction Plan.  

As part of the key election commitment, 37 actions are in progress to eliminate unnecessary and repetitive processes, streamline and automate time-consuming procedures and deliver more innovative digital systems to support schools.  

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said reading had powerful benefits for students, leading to improvements in vocabulary, writing and creativity.   

“We’re powering up the 2026 Premier’s Reading Challenge to encourage our students to develop a love of reading and learning,” Minister Langbroek said.  

“There’s a reading hero in every class. Whether it’s tackling a more challenging book, improving their reading or helping a classmate, I want all young Queenslanders to aspire to become reading heroes. 

“This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Reading’ and it emphasises the importance of building strong literacy skills, which set students up for success long after school ends.   

“After a decade of decline under Labor left Queensland kids failing to meet national standards and with declining NAPLAN results, we’re turning the tables by putting the focus back on the basics.  

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland’s future by improving behaviour in the classroom, lifting students results and supporting our teachers with less red tape.” 

Clontarf Beach State School Principal Penny Callaghan said her school was proud to host the launch of the 2026 Premier’s Reading Challenge. 

“Our school takes on the Challenge each year as it’s a fun way to support the literacy work our teachers are doing with students every day,” Principal Callaghan said. 

“The Premier’s Reading Challenge is about promoting the curiosity and enjoyment of reading. It helps us introduce and explore different authors with students, encouraging them to read not just to learn but also for fun.” 

Since The Premier’s Reading Challenge began in 2006, it has inspired more than 2.5 million students to read over 34 million books. 

Schools with 100 per cent participation rates will have the chance to win prizes and the Challenge is proudly supported by its official sponsor, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice. 

For more information on the Premier’s Reading Challenge visit www.readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au  

ENDS