AUSALERT PASSES FIRST NATIONWIDE TEST AHEAD OF OCTOBER ROLLOUT

Millions of Australians received a loud emergency warning on their mobile devices this week as the nation's new AusAlert system passed its first nationwide test ahead of its official rollout in October. Photo: Adobe Stock.

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Millions of Australians received a loud emergency warning on their mobile devices this week as the nation's new AusAlert system passed its first nationwide test ahead of its official rollout in October.

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The 2pm test on Monday, 27th July, broadcast a “Critical Alert” across about 94 per cent of Australia's mobile towers, marking a major milestone in replacing the country's ageing SMS-based emergency warning system.

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Developed in response to the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements following the Black Summer bushfires, AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology to deliver warnings instantly to compatible devices connected to mobile towers in an affected area.

Unlike SMS alerts, which can be delayed during network congestion, the new system broadcasts simultaneously, overrides silent mode with a siren-like alarm and full-screen message, and can continue alerting people who enter a danger zone after an emergency has begun.

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Townsville Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group chairperson Nick Dametto welcomed the successful trial.

"Living in Northern Australia means we're no strangers to natural disasters, so having a unified national warning system that works effectively across our region will be invaluable for our residents and visitors during extreme weather events," Cr Dametto said.

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While the national trial was considered a technical success, some older devices failed to receive the alert or displayed overseas warning labels such as "Presidential Alert”.

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Queensland emergency authorities will continue using the existing SMS warning system alongside AusAlert while refining operational arrangements before the new platform is introduced nationally in October.

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