Australia is rolling out a new national emergency warning system called AusAlert, which will push urgent alert messages directly to compatible mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches in affected areas — no app, no sign-up, and no way to opt out. Community testing begins 10 June 2026, and a national test will reach every compatible device across Australia on Monday 27 July 2026.
What businesses need to know
- What it is: AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology — the same approach used in the US, UK, New Zealand, and Japan — to push emergency messages to all compatible 4G/5G devices within a targeted area, simultaneously and almost instantly.
- What the alert sounds like: Your device will vibrate and play a loud siren-like emergency tone for approximately 10 seconds — even if the phone is on silent or Do Not Disturb. This applies to mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches.
- What triggers an alert: Natural disasters (bushfires, floods, cyclones, tsunamis), serious public safety incidents including terrorism, biosecurity events, and health emergencies.
- Privacy: AusAlert does not collect or store phone numbers or location data. Only authorised government and emergency services agencies can send messages — it cannot be used for scam or commercial communications.
- When it goes live: Full operation begins October 2026.
Community testing schedule — coming up
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Duffy, ACT | Wed 10 June | 10:30am AEST |
| Launceston, TAS | Mon 15 June | 11:00am AEST |
| Cooya Beach / Newell & Wonga Beach, QLD | Tue 16 June | 2:00pm AEST |
| Liverpool, NSW | Wed 17 June | 4:00pm AEST |
| Tennant Creek, NT | Thu 18 June | 10:00am ACST |
| Geelong, VIC | Thu 18 June | 2:00pm AEST |
| Goomalling, WA | Fri 19 June | 12:00pm AWST |
| Port Lincoln, SA | Sat 20 June | 11:00am ACST |
| Queanbeyan, NSW/ACT | Sun 21 June | 2:00pm AEST |
National test — Monday 27 July 2026
- ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, VIC: 2:00pm AEST
- NT, SA: 1:30pm ACST
- WA: 12:00pm AWST
The national test will be sent as a Critical Alert — the highest severity level. No action is required when you receive it. If the loud alert could cause distress for you or someone in your workplace, visit ausalert.gov.au for more information ahead of the test.
Sources: NEMA — AusAlert, ausalert.gov.au