Australia’s AusAlert Emergency Warning System to Undergo National Test in July

Australia is preparing to launch a new national emergency warning system, AusAlert, designed to provide more reliable and accurate alerts to citizens during crises. A nationwide test of the system is scheduled for July 27 at 2:00 PM AEST, sending a test alarm to approximately 25 million mobile phones within service range.

What is AusAlert?

AusAlert is a Commonwealth-developed system intended to replace the current fragmented, state-by-state emergency alert patchwork. Developed at a cost of $132 million, the system utilizes cell-broadcast technology, allowing it to bypass network congestion and reach phones within range of mobile towers, even during peak demand . This technology differs from traditional mobile networks, which are designed for one-to-one communication.

How Will AusAlert Be Used?

AusAlert is designed to disseminate a wide range of warnings, including those related to natural disasters, threats to public safety (such as shooting incidents), and biosecurity and health threats like disease outbreaks . The system can deliver geographically targeted alerts, ranging from nationwide broadcasts to street-by-street messages.

Two Levels of Alerts

AusAlert features two alert levels:

• Critical Alerts: These are issued for imminent threats to life, such as an approaching cyclone. Critical alerts sound an alarm and display a message on the phone’s home screen, and cannot be turned off.
• Priority Alerts: These are issued when there is not an immediate threat to life, but people are advised to follow instructions before an approaching emergency, like a bushfire at the “watch and act” level. Users can opt out of receiving priority alerts.

Testing and Rollout

Prior to the national test on July 27, AusAlert will be trialed in nine locations during June, including Launceston (Tasmania), Port Douglas (Queensland), Tennant Creek (Northern Territory), and Port Lincoln (South Australia) . The system is expected to be fully operational nationwide by October .

The test message will read: “This is a TEST alert of AusAlert, Australia’s new emergency warning system. NO ACTION IS REQUIRED. In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit www.ausalert.gov.au for more information. This message is authorised by the Australian Government.”

Addressing Concerns

Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain stated that AusAlert will be “more reliable, more accurate, and efficient than the current systems in place” . While acknowledging past issues with emergency alert tests in other countries, such as the UK, McBain expressed confidence in the new system .

AusAlert does not collect phone numbers or geographic locations.