AusAlert & Emergency Alert

Australia’s AusAlert and Emergency Alert systems allows messages to be sent from emergency services to all phones in a specific area.

AusAlert & Emergency Alert

AusAlert will soon be the primary mobile emergency warning system used in the ACT.

AusAlert sends emergency information directly to compatible mobile devices in a defined geographic area.

ACT emergency services will also continue to have access to Emergency Alert, the existing system that sends SMS messages and recorded telephone calls. Depending on the emergency, either AusAlert or Emergency Alert may be used.

Do not wait for an alert before taking action. Stay aware of conditions around you, monitor official warnings and follow the advice of emergency services.

AusAlert

AusAlert is Australia’s national emergency warning system. It uses cell-broadcast technology to send messages directly to compatible devices connected to 4G and 5G mobile networks.

AusAlert:

  • sends warnings to compatible devices in or near a selected geographic area  
  • can reach large numbers of devices almost simultaneously  
  • does not require you to register, download an app or provide your phone number  
  • can continue broadcasting warnings when conventional mobile networks are congested  
  • can reach compatible devices that enter the warning area while an alert is active  
  • does not collect or store your phone number, personal information or location.  

An AusAlert appears as a notification on your device. It is not an SMS or text message.

AusAlert warning types

AusAlert has two warning types.

Critical Alert

A Critical Alert is the highest level of AusAlert and means you may be in danger and need to act immediately.

On compatible devices, a Critical Alert will vibrate and play a loud siren-like warning sound, including when the device is on silent or Do Not Disturb.

Critical Alerts cannot be turned off through device settings.

Priority Alert

A Priority Alert is used when there is a high level of threat and conditions are changing.

A compatible device may vibrate and play the AusAlert warning sound. Priority Alerts will not override silent or Do Not Disturb settings and can be turned off through device settings.

Receiving an AusAlert

AusAlert can be received by many compatible mobile phones, tablets and smart watches.

You do not need to be in the affected area. You may receive an alert if you are visiting, travelling through or entering the area while the alert is active.

Some devices just outside the targeted area may also receive an alert because mobile network coverage does not follow exact warning boundaries.

When you receive an AusAlert:

  • read the message when it is safe to do so  
  • follow the instructions provided  
  • tell people nearby who may not have received the alert  
  • continue to monitor official emergency information.

Someone looking at a map on a computer screen

Emergency Alert

Emergency Alert remains available to ACT emergency services alongside AusAlert.

Emergency Alert is the existing national telephone warning system. It can send:

  • SMS messages to mobile phones  
  • recorded voice messages to fixed-line phones.  

Emergency Alert will continue to support fixed-line telephone warnings while AusAlert is introduced.

Emergency Alert SMS messages and telephone calls come from: 0444 444 444

This is an Australian Government number reserved for emergency information.  

Messages from this number should be treated as genuine.  

Emergency services select the geographic area where an Emergency Alert is required.  

You may receive an alert because your mobile phone is in or has recently been in the area, your mobile billing address is within the area, or you have a fixed-line service in the area.  

Emergency information

AusAlert and Emergency Alert are additional ways emergency information may reach you. Do not rely on receiving a direct alert before taking action.

During an emergency you can find additional information on the ACT Emergency Services Agency website and other channels.

  • Check the ACT Emergency Services Agency website (esa.act.gov.au)
  • Follow @ACTEmergencyServicesAgency on Facebook @ACT_ESA on X (formerly Twitter)
  • Download and monitor the Hazards Near Me mobile app
  • Listen to ABC Local Radio on 666 AM  
  • Contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81

Find out more about information published by the ACT Emergency Services Agency on the Warnings & Alerts page.