Virtually every phone in Australia will blare an emergency siren at 2pm AEST on Monday 27 July, as part of the first nationwide test of a new national warning system called AusAlert. Most phones, and some smartwatches and tablets, will receive a pop-up notification and an alert sound that cannot be silenced – even if the device is on 'do not disturb' or silent mode.
What is AusAlert?
AusAlert is Australia's new national warning system, which will send emergency messages to mobile devices during local and widespread disasters. Authorities currently use SMS texts to alert people about safety information. The new system will instead send a mass broadcast via mobile phone towers, with an alert popping up on devices, similar to a phone notification. It will launch nationally in October, months after the national test.
What will happen during the national test?
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema), a test alert will be sent to all mobile devices in Australia on Monday 27 July 2026. Users will hear a siren and see a pop-up notification on their phone, which will look different depending on the device, but with text including 'TEST MESSAGE' and 'NO ACTION IS REQUIRED'. Pat Hetherington, the interim coordinator general at Nema, said the siren would last for about 10 seconds and would be 'loud enough to get people’s attention', but quieter than a fire alarm.
What time is the AusAlert test around Australia?
The test occurs at 2pm AEST, which is 2pm for New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Queensland and Tasmania; 1.30pm in the Northern Territory and South Australia; and 12pm in Western Australia.
Why is the emergency warning system test needed?
Hetherington 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 SMS-based system has had real latency in terms of people receiving messages due to network congestion or provider issues. Federal emergency management minister Kristy McBain, whose electorate of Eden-Monaro was hit by the black summer bushfires, said some people in her area did not receive emergency text alerts during that disaster because their phone provider was unavailable. McBain said AusAlert was a 'far superior' system and would reach more people in a more timely manner.
Will every phone ring or make a sound?
Essentially, yes. Hetherington said phones made after 2019 should receive the alert, but some older phones may not. The alert will come through on all compatible devices even if you are on a call, or if the phone is on silent. Nema advises that about 80% of Apple iPhones will ring, and some 16 million Android devices. The only way to not receive a critical alert is to turn the mobile device off or switch it to airplane mode. The alert will go to iPhone models 11 and up running iOS 26.4 or later, Apple Watch models SE2, SE3, Series 6 and up running watchOS 26.4 or later, and Android devices running Android 12 or later. Older Androids or those not using iOS or Android might still receive AusAlerts, but Apple iPads will not.
What about 'safe phones' for those experiencing domestic and family violence?
Domestic and family violence advocates have raised concerns about the risk of the alert exposing 'safe phones' kept hidden for safety reasons. Nema said it had engaged with family violence experts about the test, including assisting advocates to disseminate safety information. Hetherington said phones switched off or on airplane mode would not receive the alert, and advised a 24-hour period for safe phones. Carroll added that for domestic and family violence, there is broader advice for that extension of time.
What do I have to do when I receive the AusAlert?
Nothing at all. The test requires no action. However, Hetherington encouraged Australians to answer a survey or give feedback after the test to help Nema assess the success of the trial.
When will AusAlert be used for real?
Nema suggests the warnings could be used for legitimate hazards such as bushfires, floods, cyclones and earthquakes; serious public safety issues or terrorism; biosecurity incidents; and major public health incidents. States and territories will be able to send alerts.
