Emergency warning text and siren to be sent to every phone in Australia
Sydney Morning Herald
by Mike FoleyFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Australian government is set to test its new national emergency warning system, AusAlert, on July 27 at 2pm AEST. This system aims to replace the current fragmented state-based alerts with a unified approach capable of targeting specific areas, from entire regions down to individual streets. The alerts will notify people of imminent dangers such as natural disasters (fires, floods, cyclones), public safety threats like shooting incidents, and biosecurity risks.
AusAlert features two alert levels: "critical" alerts, which override phone settings and appear on the home screen regardless of volume or notifications settings, ensuring they are impossible to ignore. The second level, "priority," allows users to opt out but still provides crucial information for less severe situations.
Developed at a cost of $132 million, AusAlert operates independently of telecom networks using cell technology, making it reliable even during network congestion or failures. This independence ensures that emergency alerts can be sent effectively during disasters when other communication channels may fail. The system is designed to enhance public safety by providing timely warnings, enabling quicker responses and potentially saving lives and property.
Prior to the national test, smaller-scale trials were
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/26/2026