Children & teens

AusAlert information for parents, carers and students

Children and teenagers need clear, calm and accessible information during emergencies. They may need help from parents, teachers or carers to understand what is happening and what to do.

AusAlert messages may appear on children's phones, tablets and smartwatches. Parents, carers and guardians should help children understand: 

• what AusAlert is 
• what alerts mean 
• what to do if they receive an alert.

Some young people may find emergency messages distressing or confusing and may need extra support. 

This could include:

• infants and young children
• children with learning difficulties, or sensory or communication needs
• children who are still learning to read and understand written information
• children who are not with their primary carer
• young people who are not with a responsible adult when they receive an AusAlert.  

Young people receiving an AusAlert

AusAlert sends near-instant emergency messages to compatible mobile devices such as mobiles, tablets, smartwatches and children’s safety watches. This helps you get information quickly. 

AusAlerts use sound, vibration and on-screen messages to get your attention.

Alerts look and sound different from a standard text message (SMS). They can alert you even if your device is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’.

Exactly how it appears will depend on your device type and operating system.

Tell young people to: 

• read the message carefully
• ask a teacher, trusted adult or carer for help if needed
• follow the instructions in the message. 

If they are at school, they should follow instructions from their teachers.

AusAlert information for schools

Schools should be prepared if an alert is sent during school hours.

The best way to help students stay calm and safe is to explain AusAlert before an emergency happens. You can do this in classrooms or at whole‑school assemblies.

Make sure: 

• staff and students understand what AusAlert is 
• staff and students know what to do if they receive an alert
• schools include AusAlert in their emergency, lockdown and evacuation plans. 

In daycare, preschool and primary school, AusAlerts may appear on classroom tablets and smartwatches. These devices may vibrate and make a loud siren‑like sound. 

In secondary schools, colleges and universities, students may receive an AusAlert on their phones, tablets or smartwatches. These devices may also vibrate and make a loud siren‑like sound. 

During an emergency, families and schools should also use trusted local sources of information such as:

• school or community instructions and evacuation plans
• local radio
• television
• local emergency services.

Preparing schools for AusAlert

All schools will receive information from their state department of education, diocese or head office about: 

• what AusAlert is
• how to talk to students about AusAlert
• community testing and the national test 
• rules about phone use at school. 

Schools and AusAlert testing

AusAlert community testing was successfully completed in June 2026. A national test of a Critical Alert is coming up on 27 July 2026.

You or someone you care for may receive a test alert.

National test

The national test will take place on Monday 27 July 2026, between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm depending on your location. A test alert will be sent to all compatible mobile devices in Australia at the same time. This is during school hours in all states and territories.

You may have already received information from your school about AusAlert testing. Follow your school’s advice about phone and device use.

During the test:

• A message will appear on device screens.
• A loud alert will sound for about 10 seconds.
• You don’t need to do anything.

The alert will sound and appear even if a device is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’.

Safe testing

AusAlert tests during school hours may interrupt lessons or make some children feel worried or upset. To reduce disruption, teachers may ask students to turn off devices or switch them to aeroplane mode.