AusAlert – what is it?

On the 27th of July at 2:00 p.m. we will all receive an identical SMS message in Australia.

This is a test of AusAlert, a system that will go live in October and allow authorities to alert every mobile phone user in a limited area to dangers. AusAlert can override settings such as Do Not Disturb to ensure every SIM-card device receives the notification. It can send alerts for security threats, public-health emergencies, biosecurity incidents, bushfires, cyclones and more.

An AusAlert message will tell you:

• what the emergency is
• where it is happening
• how serious it is
• what you should do
• who the message is from
• where to find more information.

The system can limit warnings to users within a radius as small as 160 m, so alerts reach only people actually affected. Only Emergency Services and the Australian Government can send AusAlerts.

When you receive this message on your phone (SMS): it is not a scam, and you do not need to do anything.

There will be 2 types of alerts: Critical Alerts and Priority Alerts.

Critical Alerts are the highest level of warning. It means you may be in danger. You should act immediately. Your mobile device will vibrate and make a loud siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds before stopping. It will do this even if it is on silent or ‘do not disturb’. You cannot turn off Critical Alerts.

Priority Alerts are used when there is a high level of threat. It means conditions are changing. You should ‘watch and act’. Your mobile device will vibrate and make a loud siren-like warning sound that lasts for about 10 seconds. It will not vibrate or make a sound if your device is on silent or ‘do not disturb’ and you can turn off the sound and vibration for these in your phone settings.

• Full details are available on https://www.ausalert.gov.au