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

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-01-01</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>0001565813</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HARTMAN KIRK D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WELLS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>333 S GRAND AVE, 22ND FLOOR, SUITE 2200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOS ANGELES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90071-1504</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>PRESIDENT &amp; CIO OF SUB-ADVISOR</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>CATHERINE F. KENNEDY BY POWER OF ATTORNEY</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-01-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
