Nationwide emergency alert test causes disruption for some, missed by others

Australia's first nationwide test of the AusAlert emergency warning system, intended to prepare citizens for various emergencies, yielded mixed results, with many users experiencing a brief, quiet alert while others received no notification at all.

The test, which occurred around 2pm AEST, aimed to activate nearly every phone, smartwatch, and tablet across the country with a loud noise and a "TEST MESSAGE" notification. However, experiences varied significantly. Some individuals, like Canberra resident Indigo Miller, found the alert underwhelming and easily dismissed, questioning its effectiveness if they were outdoors.

Despite the federal government's efforts to publicize the test, reports emerged of phones receiving a notification but failing to emit any sound. Prior to the test, the National Emergency Management Agency had advised that approximately 80% of Apple iPhones and 16 million Android devices were expected to ring, specifying compatible models and software versions.

Federal emergency management minister Kristy McBain reported that 94% of targeted cell towers successfully broadcast the alert. She acknowledged that not all devices would receive it, citing reasons such as being outside a coverage area, having outdated software, or using an incompatible device. McBain emphasized that no single communication method is 100% successful but highlighted AusAlert's reliability compared to current text-based systems.

Concerns had been raised by domestic and family violence advocates regarding the potential for the alert to compromise 'safe phones' used by those in abusive situations. The advice provided was for individuals with such devices to switch them off for a 24-hour period around the test.

The alert's impact was also noted in public spaces. Some moviegoers at Sydney's IMAX were asked to switch off their phones before a 1:50pm session, though some alerts still sounded during pre-film advertisements. At the State Library of NSW, the siren briefly interrupted the quiet environment, startling some students.