The need for a radio reading service was realised in New South Wales in 1983 with the establishment of 2RPH as a Community Benefit Organisation, incorporated as a Co-operative Society.

Though specifically designed for the vision-impaired, elderly, and infirm, its accessibility and clear announcers are used by English as a second language instructors to help their students understand the printed materials read from.

Volunteers prepare, produce, and present all the programs, including readings from magazines and other publications, which are pre-recorded.

Many of these recorded programs are re-broadcast by RPH stations in other parts of Australia and the Radio Reading Service in New Zealand.

Applicants for on-air work must pass an audition carefully designed to demonstrate their skills at reading aloud.