AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.
It’s a fast and reliable way to help people be informed and better prepared during local and national emergencies.
Federal, State and territory emergency services can use AusAlert to send fast, clear messages to the public about national, local and regional emergencies.
AusAlert was created in response to the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, which found that mobile-device-based emergency warning systems are especially effective at keeping communities informed during disasters.
The Australian Government funded the AusAlert project in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 budgets.
It sends information about local and national disasters, including what is happening now or what might happen soon. During a disaster, you may receive an alert if you have a compatible mobile phone, tablet or smart watch.
Cell-broadcast technology allows an emergency message to be sent to every compatible mobile device in a specific area at the same time through a mass broadcast from a nearby mobile phone tower.
If your compatible device is near the emergency and in range of a nearby mobile phone tower, it can receive the alert almost instantly. If you enter the emergency area after the message was first sent, you can still receive the alert.
The alert may contain information such as:
- the type of emergency (for example, bushfire or flood, cyclone)
- where it is
- how serious it is
- the actions you need to take
- where more information can be found
- the name of the organisation that sent the message.