Near-instant national emergency messaging
AusAlert has many benefits.
- Targeted
Messages are sent to mobile devices in a specific area. This can include locations across state and territory borders. Areas as small as 160 metres across can be targeted, so evacuation messages are possible for single buildings. AusAlerts will only notify people within the affected disaster area.
- Fast
Everyone in the targeted area is sent the alert at the same time, so it can be received by millions of compatible mobile devices at once.
- Reliable
AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology to send emergency messages. They aren't SMS (text messages) so can still be sent and received when mobile networks are busy. Devices don’t need an active SIM card.
- Private and secure
AusAlert doesn’t collect or store your mobile phone number or location. Only emergency services organisations and Australian Government agencies that have permission can send alerts. This helps protect you from scams.
- Loud and clear
AusAlerts vibrate and are delivered with a siren-like sound. Critical Alerts are sent during the most serious emergencies and make this noise even if your phone is on silent or ‘do not disturb’.
Important
You can’t opt out of Critical Alerts, which are sent during extreme emergencies.
See Receiving an alert for information about alert notifications and levels.
AusAlert replaces SMS technology
AusAlert is a new type of alert system for Australia.
When AusAlert is ready to use across the country, it will replace the SMS-based alert system used by states and territories, which is called Emergency Alert.