Community testing

AusAlert will be ready to use in October 2026, but before it launches, we tested the system in local communities.

About the tests

AusAlert was tested in selected communities across Australia in June 2026.

We took several devices to each location to test different device models, operating systems and settings. Our results and feedback from each community helped us troubleshoot issues and improve the AusAlert system.

The test alerts looked something like this:

Text in a notification bubble on a phone screen that says: Priority AusAlert. Test message - AusAlert. This is a test of AusAlert, Australia's new emergency warning system. No action is required. In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit the AusAlert website for more information. This message is authorised by the Australian Government. — Example of a test Priority Alert.

AusAlert test message mock-ups with the title 'Presidential Alert' or 'Extreme Threat Alert' along with the test message. — Some people with older devices or alternate operating systems received a test alert with the heading ‘Presidential Alert’ or ‘Extreme Threat Alert’. The content of the alert was the same. This is because some older devices and alternate operating systems don't follow Australian Standards and display an American/international alert heading instead of the Australian 'AusAlert' title.

The test alerts sounded like this:

Alert sound

0.00 0.00

Community test schedule

We successfully completed 9 community tests of varying sizes and locations.

Duffy, ACT – complete

10:30 am Wednesday 10 June 2026

Launceston, TAS – complete

11:00 am Monday 15 June 2026

Coastal townships (Cooya Beach, Newell and Wonga Beach), QLD – complete

2:00 pm Tuesday 16 June 2026

Liverpool, NSW – complete

4:00 pm Wednesday 17 June 2026

Tennant Creek, NT – complete

10:00 am Thursday 18 June 2026

Geelong, VIC – complete

2:00 pm Thursday 18 June 2026

Goomalling, WA – complete

12:00 pm Friday 19 June 2026

Port Lincoln, SA – complete

11:00 am Saturday 20 June 2026

Queanbeyan, NSW/ACT border – complete

2:00 pm Sunday 21 June 2026

What to do if you received a test alert

You don’t need to do anything.

It is just a test.

But in an actual disaster, an AusAlert will tell you the type of emergency, where it’s located, how serious it is and what to do. It will also tell you the name of the emergency organisation that has sent the AusAlert and where to find more information about the emergency.

What to do if you didn’t receive a test alert

You don't need to do anything.

You might not have been in the test area, your device might not have been compatible or maybe it wasn’t connected to a mobile tower at the time of the test.

If you want to provide feedback on a community test, contact us.

To make sure you're AusAlert ready, always install the latest software updates on your device when asked. Be sure to restart your device after updating.