Community Members will hear a loud siren from their mobile phones on Monday 27 July as the federal government runs its first nationwide test of AusAlert, the emergency warning system due to replace the current SMS-based alert setup in October.
The test alert will be sent to compatible devices across the country at 2:00 pm AEST in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, 1:30 pm ACST in South Australia and the Northern Territory, and 12:00 pm AWST in Western Australia. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which is co-delivering the system with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, says the test will confirm the technology performs as intended before it goes live.
What The Test Involves
AusAlert uses cell broadcast technology, a method already relied on by more than 30 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan. Unlike the current system, it does not depend on a working SIM card or a specific telecommunications provider, and it is designed to reach compatible phones, tablets and some smart watches regardless of carrier.
During the test, affected devices are expected to vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds, followed by an on-screen message that clearly states it is a test. NEMA has said the alert will sound even if a device is switched to silent or Do Not Disturb, and that no action is required from anyone who receives it.
Officials have also cautioned that the experience will not be uniform. Devices manufactured with a SIM card from 2019 onwards are expected to be compatible, covering an estimated 90 per cent of Australian mobile users, but reception will vary depending on the device, network, software version and location at the time of the test. Some people may receive the alert exactly on time, others later, and some not at all, which NEMA says does not indicate a fault with the system.
The national test follows community-based trials held in June across nine locations nationwide, including Majura in the ACT, Launceston in Tasmania, Port Douglas in Queensland, Liverpool in New South Wales, Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Geelong in Victoria, Goomalling in Western Australia, Port Lincoln in South Australia and the Queanbeyan area.
Why It Matters
AusAlert was developed in response to a recommendation from the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, which found existing warning systems needed strengthening. Once operational in October, the system will be used to warn residents about bushfires, floods, cyclones, severe weather, biosecurity incidents, public health emergencies and security threats. It will eventually extend to automated voice messages for landline phones as well.
Avoiding The Alert
The test alert is classified as a Critical Alert, meaning it cannot be disabled through a device’s own notification settings. The only way to avoid receiving it is to turn the device off, or switch it to aeroplane mode, before the scheduled test time in the relevant state or territory, and leave it off for at least one hour afterwards.
This applies to anyone who finds the alert distressing or disruptive, not only those with a specific safety concern, and NEMA has said the guidance is straightforward regardless of the reason.
Safety Advice For Domestic Violence Survivors
The test has prompted specific warnings for people experiencing domestic and family violence who rely on a hidden or secondary phone to contact support services, document abuse or plan an exit from a violent situation. Because the alert overrides silent and Do Not Disturb settings, advocacy groups have warned that a loud, unexpected siren could expose a concealed device to someone who monitors a victim-survivor’s movements or belongings.
Speak Up Now, a community group raising awareness of domestic and family abuse in Maleny and the Blackall Range, advises anyone in a vulnerable situation to take the following precautions during the upcoming device test:
- Turn it on safely: When turning the phone back on, do so away from home if you can safely manage it.
- Secure the device: If it is safe to do so, leave the phone with a trusted friend or family member. Always have a backup plan in case a hidden device is discovered.
- Power down early: Following national guidelines, switch the phone off or put it in airplane mode at least an hour before the scheduled test.
- Keep it off: Leave the device powered down for the next 24 hours if possible.
NEMA’s own guidance for survivors, published on the AusAlert website, notes that removing a SIM card is not a reliable way to block the alert, since the system does not require an active SIM to function. Anyone concerned about their immediate safety is urged to call 000. Further advice and support is available through 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or through 13YARN on 13 92 76 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander callers.
What To Do Beforehand
Residents are encouraged to check that their device has the latest software update installed before 27 July, as older or outdated devices may not receive the alert correctly. NEMA recommends restarting a device after any update to ensure it is ready.
Anyone who does not receive the test alert is not required to take any further action. Further detail on device compatibility and frequently asked questions is available at ausalert.gov.au, with additional information published by Services Australia.
The system is expected to become fully operational in October 2026, ahead of the summer bushfire season.
https://www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/national-test
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