Most Australian phones will sound an emergency siren at 2pm AEST on Monday 27 July during the first national test of the AusAlert warning system. The alert will appear as a pop-up notification and cannot be silenced, even if devices are on silent or do-not-disturb mode.
What Is AusAlert?
AusAlert is Australia's new national warning system that will send emergency messages to mobile devices during disasters. It replaces standard SMS alerts, which have faced delays and network congestion. The system uses mobile phone towers to broadcast alerts that pop up like notifications.
National Test Timing
The nationwide test occurs at 2pm AEST on 27 July, translating to 2pm in New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Queensland and Tasmania; 1.30pm in the Northern Territory and South Australia; and 12pm in Western Australia.
Why the Test Is Needed
Pat Hetherington, interim coordinator general at the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema), said AusAlert came from a recommendation of the royal commission into the 2019-20 black summer bushfires, which called for a nationally consistent warning system. “The existing system is based on standard SMS capability, and throughout a series of emergencies and disasters, that system has had real latency in terms of people receiving the messages,” he said. Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said some in her electorate did not receive emergency text alerts during those fires because their phone provider was unavailable. She described AusAlert as “far superior” to current systems.
Compatible Devices
Hetherington said phones made after 2019 should receive the alert, but older ones may not. Nema advises about 80% of Apple iPhones and some 16 million Android devices will ring. Eligible devices include iPhone models 11 and up with iOS 26.4 or later, Apple Watch SE2, SE3, Series 6 and up with watchOS 26.4 or later, and Android devices with Android 12 or later. Apple iPads will not receive the alert. “The only way to not receive a critical alert is to turn your mobile device off or switch it to ‘airplane mode’,” Nema said.
Concerns for Domestic Violence Victims
Domestic and family violence advocates have raised concerns that the alert could expose “safe phones” hidden by those experiencing abuse. Nema said it engaged with family violence experts and posted safety guidance. Hetherington advised switching off safe phones for a 24-hour period. Katarina Carroll, Nema deputy coordinator general, added: “The advice is if there’s anything that’s happening [during the test], have it off for an hour or so. But certainly for domestic and family violence, there’s that broader advice for that extension of time.”
What to Do During the Test
The test requires no action. Hetherington encouraged Australians to provide feedback to help Nema assess the trial. He said the siren will last about 10 seconds and be “loud enough to get people’s attention” but quieter than a fire alarm. The alert message will include “TEST MESSAGE” and “NO ACTION IS REQUIRED”.
