Nearly every mobile device in Australia will sound an emergency siren at 2 pm AEST on Monday, 27 July, during the first nationwide trial of the new AusAlert warning system.
What is AusAlert?
AusAlert is Australia’s new national warning system, designed to deliver emergency messages to mobile devices during both local and widespread disasters.
Currently, authorities rely on SMS alerts for safety information. The new system will replace this with a mass broadcast over mobile phone towers, generating a pop‑up notification on devices similar to a standard phone alert.
AusAlert is set to launch nationally in October, several months after the initial nationwide test.
What will happen during the national test?
“On Monday 27 July 2026, a test alert will be sent to all mobile devices in Australia, including most phones and some smart watches and tablets,” the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) advises.
Users will hear a siren and see a pop‑up notification on their phone. The visual appearance varies by device, but the message will include “TEST MESSAGE” and “NO ACTION IS REQUIRED”.
“People should expect a siren lasting about ten seconds,” said Pat Hetherington, Nema’s interim coordinator general.
He noted it will be loud enough to attract attention but quieter than a typical fire alarm.
“It will be noticeable, but it won’t be too overwhelming.”
What time is the AusAlert test around Australia?
While local trials have occurred previously, Monday marks the first nationwide exercise, scheduled for 2 pm AEST. The corresponding local times are:
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2 pm in New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Queensland and Tasmania.
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1:30 pm in the Northern Territory and South Australia.
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12 pm in Western Australia.
Why is the emergency warning system test needed?
Hetherington explained that AusAlert originated from a royal commission recommendation following the 2019‑20 black‑summer bushfires, which called for a unified national alert platform.
“The existing SMS‑based system has shown significant delays during various emergencies,” he observed. “Network congestion can prevent messages from reaching users promptly—or at all—depending on the provider.”
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain, whose Eden‑Monaro electorate was severely affected by those bushfires, reported that some residents did not receive emergency text alerts because their service was unavailable.
The new platform supports both nationwide broadcasts and location‑specific “geofenced” alerts, such as those for floods or boil‑water warnings during crises.
McBain described AusAlert as a “far superior” system that will reach “more people more quickly” than existing state‑based alerts. She emphasised that current systems will remain in use, positioning AusAlert as “another tool in the toolkit”.
Will every phone ring or make a sound at 2 pm AEST?
Essentially, yes. Hetherington noted that devices manufactured after 2019 are expected to receive the alert, although some older phones may not be compatible.
The alert will activate on all compatible devices regardless of whether the phone is in use or set to silent. Nema estimates that roughly 80 % of Apple iPhones and around 16 million Android devices will emit the sound.
“The only way to avoid a critical alert is to power the device off or switch it to airplane mode,” Nema advised.
The agency listed the compatible devices as follows:
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iPhone models 11 and newer running iOS 26.4 or later.
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Apple Watch models SE2, SE3, and Series 6 or newer running watchOS 26.4 or later.
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Android devices running Android 12 or later.
Older Android handsets or devices using other operating systems “may still receive AusAlerts”, according to Nema. Apple iPads, however, are excluded.
Hetherington and Nema’s deputy coordinator general, Katarina Carroll, said the agency has engaged with “thousands” of groups—including schools, businesses and funeral associations—to ensure they are prepared for the test.
Scheduling the trial during a regular part of the day helps people familiarise themselves with the alert’s sound and appearance for future emergencies.
Recognising potential inconvenience—such as during important meetings or ceremonies—Hetherington and Carroll advised: “If you turn your phone off an hour before and an hour after 2 pm AEST, we’re confident you won’t receive the message.”
International experience has shown that some countries have encountered delays or failures during similar system tests. Nema said it has “learned a great deal” from these global exercises and is confident in its preparation for Monday’s trial.
What about ‘safe phones’ for those experiencing domestic and family violence?
Advocates for survivors of domestic and family violence have raised concerns that the alert could inadvertently expose “safe phones”—devices kept hidden for safety.
Nema stated it has consulted with family‑violence experts regarding the test, helping advocates distribute safety guidance and posting a detailed safety guide on its website.
Hetherington reiterated that devices powered off or in airplane mode will not receive the alert, urging: “The recommendation for safe phones and hidden devices is to remain off for a 24‑hour window.”
Carroll added: “If anything out of the ordinary is happening during the test, we suggest keeping the device off for about an hour. For domestic and family‑violence contexts, the broader advice remains a 24‑hour period.”
Organisations such as the Women’s Safety Commissioner, DV Connect and the Council of Single Mothers and their Children have issued related safety advisories.
What do I have to do when I receive the AusAlert?
No action is required. The test is solely informational and does not call for any response from the public.
Nevertheless, Hetherington encouraged Australians to participate in a post‑test survey or provide feedback to assist Nema in evaluating the trial’s effectiveness and identifying any necessary improvements.
“People should read the message, but they are not expected to take any steps,” he said.
“We’re also interested in hearing if anyone missed receiving the alert.”
When will AusAlert be used for real?
Nema outlined potential scenarios for actual alerts, including natural hazards like bushfires, floods, cyclones and earthquakes; serious public‑safety threats or terrorism; biosecurity incidents; and major public‑health emergencies.
Individual states and territories will have the authority to issue alerts through the system.
“I expect several states will adopt this tool extensively, especially where near‑real‑time information is critical,” Hetherington commented.
