On Monday 27 July 2026, an AusAlert test message will be sent to all compatible mobile devices in Australia. It will sound and vibrate for around 10 seconds, even if your phone is on silent or Do Not Disturb. If this could disrupt you or cause you or a loved one to feel unsafe, plan ahead by turning your device off, or switch to aeroplane mode, and leave it off for at least 1 hour.
Find out more
Last updated on 08 July 2026
AusAlert is Australia’s new national emergency warning system, delivering urgent alerts to mobile phones and devices in affected areas.
It enables emergency service organisations to quickly and accurately reach people when it matters most.
It will be ready to use on 1 October 2026, but before it launches, the system needs to be tested across Australia. This is called the AusAlert national test.
A national test is planned for 2pm AEST on Monday 27 July 2026.
It will cause your mobile device to vibrate and will be delivered with a loud siren-like warning sound that lasts about 10 seconds.
It will make this noise even if you’ve set your device to ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’ mode.
No, an AusAlert isn’t an SMS or text message – it’s an ‘alert’.
It will appear as a notification on your mobile device’s screen and will show up during phone calls and app use, and on lock screens. You’ll need to close the notification once you’ve seen the message, otherwise it will remain on your screen.
Mobile devices such as compatible mobile phones and some tablets and smart watches will receive the AusAlert national test.
AusAlerts are expected to work on iPhones 11 and up running iOS 26.4 or later, and Android phones and tablets running Android 12 or later.
Always install the latest software updates on your device when asked so you’re ready to receive AusAlerts.
As this is just a test, you don’t need to do anything.
But in an actual disaster an AusAlert will let you know the type of emergency, where it’s located, how serious it is and how to respond. It will also tell you the name of the emergency organisation that has sent the AusAlert and where to find more information about the emergency.
You should always read and understand the AusAlert and follow the instructions to keep yourself and others safe.
This is fine – you don’t need to do anything. Your device might not be compatible, or maybe it wasn’t connected to a mobile tower at the time of the test.
If you have information you’d like to pass to the AusAlert team, you can fill in the ‘I didn’t receive a test alert’ form on the AusAlert website
AusAlerts contain important information and should be turned on to help keep you safe.
The AusAlert national test is a Critical Alert, which you can’t opt out of.
If receiving it could disrupt you or cause you or a loved one to feel unsafe, please turn off your mobile devices or switch them to aeroplane mode before the test time and leave them off for at least one hour.
If you receive the AusAlert national test while driving or riding, stay calm and don’t touch your phone. Mobile phone laws remain active – don’t read or respond to the alert while moving. The test will make a siren-like sound for about 10 seconds. Only check the message when it is safe and legal to do so.