Australia to test AusAlert emergency warning system on all mobile devices

Millions of Australians will hear an unfamiliar siren blare from their phones on Monday, July 27, as the federal government conducts the first nationwide test of AusAlert, the country's new emergency warning system.

The Critical Alert will sound for approximately 10 seconds at times staggered by timezone: 2:00 pm AEST in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, ACT and Tasmania; 1:30 pm ACST in South Australia and the Northern Territory; and 12:00 pm AWST in Western Australia. Only powering off or enabling aeroplane mode will prevent it — the alert cannot be silenced through device settings.

Unlike the current SMS-based Emergency Alert system, AusAlert uses cell broadcast technology to send messages directly from mobile towers to all compatible devices within range. Alerts reach phones regardless of whether users are registered in a database, and messages avoid network congestion delays that have plagued previous systems during disasters.

Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain described AusAlert as "far superior" to the existing infrastructure. The system enables authorities to issue geofenced warnings targeting specific high-risk areas with near-instantaneous delivery of evacuation orders, boil-water notices, or other critical instructions.

The technology has raised concerns among domestic violence support services, which advise individuals using "safe phones" — devices kept secret from abusers — to power them off during the test. The loud, distinctive alarm could reveal the presence of a hidden phone to someone in proximity.

AusAlert is scheduled to be fully operational by October 1, 2026, positioning the system ahead of the 2026-2027 bushfire season. The rollout represents a significant shift in Australia's public safety infrastructure, moving away from location-based SMS alerts that rely on a user's registered address toward a model that warns anyone physically present in a danger zone.

During Monday's test, recipients will see an on-screen message accompanying the siren and vibration. Officials say the test will help identify any technical gaps before the system goes live for actual emergencies.

The government has emphasised that the alert is not a response to any actual emergency, but a routine systems check similar to those conducted for emergency broadcast systems in other countries.