In short:
AusAlert, a new national cell-broadcast emergency warning system, will be tested across Australia, with a national test scheduled for Monday 27 July 2026 at 2:00pm AEST. The test message will be clearly labelled and requires no action, though people concerned about receiving alerts can switch devices to aeroplane mode beforehand.
Australians across the country, including residents of Wyndham, will receive a test message from a new national emergency warning system as part of preparations for its rollout later this year.
The system, known as AusAlert, is the government’s new cell-broadcast national messaging system, designed to replace the existing SMS-based Emergency Alert system. AusAlert will allow emergency services organisations and some government agencies to send targeted warning messages, with the system expected to be more reliable, accurate and efficient than current systems.
As part of early testing, occurring during June 2026, some communities will receive a clearly labelled test message from AusAlert. Depending on a device, the test alert may appear with the heading “Presidential Alert” or “Extreme Threat Alert,” though this is still a valid AusAlert test and the content of the alert will be the same.
Following the community-based trials, a national test will take place on Monday, 27 July 2026, during which all compatible devices across Australia will receive a test alert, scheduled for 2:00pm AEST.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), recipients do not need to do anything when they receive the test — it is just a test, but in an actual disaster, an AusAlert will tell people the type of emergency, where it is located, how serious it is and what to do, along with the name of the emergency organisation that sent it and where to find more information.
During the test, devices will vibrate, play a siren-like sound for about 10 seconds and display a test message. People who think the alert might make them or a family member feel unsafe can turn their device off or use aeroplane mode during the specified test time.
Emergency Alert Sound
NEMA has confirmed the national test will be classified as a Critical Alert. The alert may stay active for up to an hour, and people who are concerned about receiving a Critical Alert are advised to turn off their mobile device or put it in aeroplane mode one hour before the test, and keep it off or in aeroplane mode during and after the test.
The agency has also acknowledged the alerts could pose a risk for some people. AusAlert may increase risk for people experiencing violence, especially if they live with someone who uses violence, as alerts may expose safety devices. People who are not safe receiving AusAlerts on their devices are advised to keep them turned off or in aeroplane mode until needed. Anyone concerned about their immediate safety should call 000, and people seeking further advice or support can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people can call 13YARN on 13 92 76.
NEMA says cell-broadcast technology offers advantages over the current system. AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology, which works differently to SMS — sending messages directly from mobile towers to compatible devices in a defined area, which the agency says makes it faster, more reliable and more precise than SMS-based systems. No action is required from residents to receive alerts, as the system uses the same 4G and 5G coverage as existing mobile services, including in regional and remote areas where there is an active cell tower.
AusAlert is intended to send geographically targeted emergency messages to all compatible mobile devices within 160-metre accuracy, and will not be impacted by telecommunication network congestion. The system is expected to be technically ready by July 2026 and available for use by October 2026, ahead of the 2026–27 high-risk weather season, subject to individual state and territory agreements.
Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the community testing and national test are significant milestones for AusAlert.
Residents wanting to check whether their area is included in the community testing phase, which runs between 10 and 21 June 2026, can visit the AusAlert website for location-specific details.
