<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0205</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-04-23</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001279014</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WELLS FARGO ADVANTAGE UTILITIES &amp; HIGH INCOME FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ERH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001548160</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Innis William B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WELLS FARGO FUNDS MANAGEMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>100 HERITAGE RESERVE, 1ST FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MENOMONEE FALLS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>53051-4400</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>DIVIDEND COMMITTEE MEMBER</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CATHERINE F. KENNEDY BY POWER OF ATTORNEY</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-04-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
