Nationwide Phone Siren Test to Hit 25 Million Australians This July
A loud siren will suddenly ring out across millions of phones in Australia this July and it won’t be a glitch. It will be the country’s biggest emergency alert test ever.
On July 27 at 2pm AEST, around 23 to 25 million mobile devices are expected to receive a powerful test message under a new national system called AusAlert. The alert will override silent mode. It will cut through “do not disturb” settings. And for many people, it will be impossible to ignore.
This is not just another text message. AusAlert uses cell broadcast technology, which allows authorities to send warnings directly to every compatible phone within a specific geographic area. That could mean the entire country. Or it could mean one street. The system works even when networks are congested, which is critical during disasters when traditional messaging can fail.
The goal is simple. Save lives.
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Australia has faced devastating bushfires, floods, cyclones and extreme weather events in recent years. During the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires, delays and missed warnings raised serious concerns. Some people did not receive alerts until it was too late. AusAlert is designed to fix that.
There will be two levels of warnings. “Critical” alerts will signal an imminent threat to life. These will come with a loud, fixed-volume alarm and a distinct vibration. Users cannot opt out. “Priority” alerts, such as Watch and Act warnings, will be less intrusive and people can choose whether to receive them.
The system is expected to be fully operational by October, ahead of the next high-risk weather season. It will replace older state-based text systems by 2027. But the rollout has not been without controversy. The cost has surged from an initial estimate of 10 million dollars to about 132 million. Some regional representatives have also raised concerns about mobile black spots, warning that an alert means little if there is no signal.
Still, officials argue that this upgrade is essential in a world of increasing climate threats and complex emergencies. The system could also be used for public safety incidents, biosecurity threats, or major police operations.
So when that siren sounds in July, it will not signal danger. It will signal preparation. A country testing its ability to respond faster, smarter and more effectively when lives are on the line.
Stay with us for continuing coverage on the AusAlert rollout and what it means for communities across Australia and beyond.
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