Key facts
- Australia will conduct a national test of its new AusAlert emergency warning system on Monday at 2pm AEST.
- The test will involve phones, smartwatches, and tablets emitting a loud siren for 10 seconds.
- Advice has been issued for individuals with hidden 'safe phones' to turn off their devices for up to 24 hours to avoid exposure.
- Some state governments have expressed concerns about the system's reach, particularly regarding landlines and older devices.
- The federal government plans to continue running the existing Emergency Alert system alongside AusAlert for the upcoming high-risk weather season.
- AusAlert is intended to replace the current SMS-based alerts and is based on recommendations from the 'black summer' bushfires royal commission.
Australia is set to conduct a nationwide test of its new AusAlert emergency warning system on Monday afternoon, despite reservations from some state governments and specific advice for individuals with hidden 'safe phones'. The unsilenceable siren, designed to be more reliable than current SMS alerts, will sound for 10 seconds on most phones, smartwatches, and tablets at 2pm AEST.
Domestic violence campaigners and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have advised those who keep secret 'safe phones' for personal safety to turn their devices off for up to 24 hours to avoid accidental exposure. NEMA confirmed that phones switched off or on aeroplane mode will not receive the alert.
Concerns have been raised by states, including Queensland and Western Australia, that AusAlert will not reach landline phones, older devices, or those connected to satellite signals. Federal emergency management minister Kristy McBain acknowledged these concerns, stating that the government is working on adding voice alerts for landlines and that the existing Emergency Alert system will continue to operate concurrently for this year. States will have the option to continue using the current system.
AusAlert, built following recommendations from the royal commission into the 'black summer' bushfires, is intended to provide a more resilient and nationally consistent alert system. It is slated to become fully operational from October. NEMA provided specific compatibility details, noting that iPhones 11 and up (iOS 26.4+), Apple Watch SE2 and newer (watchOS 26.4+), and Android devices (Android 12+) are expected to receive the alert, while older devices and iPads may not.
Advocacy groups like Wesnet, the Women's Safety Commissioner, DV Connect, and the Council of Single Mothers and their Children have issued safety advisories, emphasizing the importance of hidden phones in safety plans for individuals experiencing domestic, family, or sexual violence. Queensland's emergency services minister, Daniel Purdie, called AusAlert 'potentially life-saving technology' but highlighted the need to ensure no Queenslanders are put at risk during the transition, particularly those in regional communities reliant on landlines. NSW's emergency services minister, Jihad Dib, also indicated that further improvements might be needed after the test.