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Prepare, but don’t panic! On Monday, July 27, millions of Australians will hear a loud siren blast from their mobile phones – but no, you don’t need to be alarmed. It’s part of a nationwide trial of AusAlert, a new emergency warning system being rolled out in Australia later this year. The upgraded system will replace old-school SMS alerts with faster, more targeted mobile warnings during natural disasters, public safety and security threats, biosecurity incidents and health emergencies.
The long-awaited warning system is expected to be fully operational by October, following more than two years of delays. The $132 million cell broadcast technology is already used in more than 30 countries for emergency communications, including the United States, New Zealand and Japan. Here's everything you need to know about the new system and the trial alert on July 27.
How does AusAlert work?
AusAlert will send emergency warnings to mobile devices within a specific area, whether that be a nationwide alert across state and territory borders, or a targeted warning to people within 160 metres of an incident. There are two levels of alerts: a critical alert for an imminent threat to life and property, and a priority alert for watch and act or advice warnings.
The system is compatible with all mobile phones that have a SIM card made from 2019 onwards, covering an estimated 90 per cent of Aussie mobile users. In the future, AusAlert will also send automated voice messages to landline phones.
What will the emergency alert say?
The alert will flash up on the home screen of your mobile, accompanied by a loud sound – even if your phone is set to ‘do not disturb’. The message will tell you what the emergency is, where it’s happening, how serious it is, what you should do, who the message is from and where to find more information.
When is the AusAlert trial?
As part of early testing, local trials will be conducted in communities across every state and territory. Residents in selected areas will receive a clearly labelled AusAlert test message throughout June, with locations including:
- Majura, ACT (micro test at Emergency Services Agency headquarters)
- Launceston, TAS
- Port Douglas, QLD
- Liverpool, NSW
- Tennant Creek, NT
- Geelong, VIC
- Goomalling, WA
- Port Lincoln, SA
- Queanbeyan area, ACT/NSW (cross-border test)
Following the community trials, an Australia-wide test will take place on Monday, July 27 at:
- ACT – 2pm
- NSW – 2pm
- QLD – 2pm
- TAS – 2pm
- VIC – 2pm
- South Australia – 1.30pm
- NT – 1.30pm
- WA – 12pm
- Christmas Island – 11am
AusAlert is expected to officially launch nationwide in October.