AusAlert Test Blasts 10-Second Siren to All Australian Phones Monday

Every Australian with a compatible mobile phone will receive a test alert from AusAlert, the nation’s new emergency warning system, on Monday July 27. The 10-second siren and full-screen notification will arrive at 2:00 pm AEST in most states, with different times in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Broken Hill, and Western Australia. The test prepares the system for its October 2026 launch.

What will happen on your phone

Compatible devices will vibrate, sound a 10-second siren, and display a full-screen notification. The on-screen message will clearly state it’s a test and that no action is required. You cannot turn off the siren once it starts. The alert will look slightly different depending on your device type, but the core alert will be identical across all phones.

Why Australia is testing this system now

AusAlert uses cell broadcast technology to deliver warnings faster and more reliably than the current SMS-based system. The government introduced the system in response to the Black Summer Bushfires six years ago, when many people said they did not receive emergency warnings on time. The test will help authorities identify any issues before real emergencies occur.

What time is the test in your state

In New South Wales, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania, the test runs at 2:00 pm AEST. In South Australia, the Northern Territory and Broken Hill, it runs at 1:30 pm ACST. In Western Australia, it runs at 12:00 pm AWST. Compatible devices include 4G and 5G smartphones and tablets.

Do you need to do anything before Monday

Most people do not need to prepare. However, authorities advise people who rely on concealed mobile phones for safety to switch those devices off or place them in airplane mode before the test. Drivers are reminded not to handle their phones when the alert arrives. Older phones running older software or connected only to satellite and landlines may not receive the alert.

Final Thoughts

AusAlert’s Monday test is a dry run for the nation’s new emergency warning system launching in October. If your phone is compatible and you are in range of a 4G or 5G tower, you will hear the siren and see the alert.

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