3 July 2026
Australia's new national emergency alert system, AusAlert, will launch in October 2026. AusAlert is designed to help keep communities safe during emergencies, disasters and other nationally significant events by sending urgent safety messages directly to compatible mobile phones.
To introduce the new system, AusAlert will be conducting a national test on all Australian phones at 2:00pm (AEST) Monday 27 July. These alerts are audibly loud and will bypass silent mode and Do Not Disturb settings.
What does this mean for your clients?
It is not uncommon for victims of domestic or family violence to rely on hidden phones to protect themselves and their private conversations. If you have been made aware of a client in this situation, it is important for them to consider how these alerts may impact their safety.
Please share with your clients where appropriate:
- Critical Alerts may sound even if your phone is on silent or Do Not Disturb is enabled.
- Critical Alerts won't sound if a device is switched off.
- If it is safe to do so, you may wish to switch your phone off before the scheduled test and turn it back on after the test period has concluded.
- Please note that if your phone was switched off during the test, the alert will activate when the device is turned back on. Ensure you are in a safe environment before switching your phone on.
To read more information about AusAlerts and the planned testing, visit: https://www.nema.gov.au/our-work/risk-reduction/ausalert