New Alert System: Your Phone Will Scream in Emergencies

Australia is set to launch the new $132m AusAlert system, designed to deliver intrusive smartphone notifications for impending emergencies. This system aims to replace state-based text messaging services, which have struggled with high demand during critical events. Alerts will cover a range of threats, including bushfires, floods, and biosecurity risks, providing users with direct links to official information.

The AusAlert system will manifest as a home screen message, with the capability for precise targeting down to specific streets. The most severe alerts will be accompanied by a loud, intrusive tone. The system is being developed to function on most phones released since 2019, with ongoing testing for compatibility with smartwatches and other devices. Users will be unable to opt out of the highest threat level alerts, though lower-level 'priority alerts' will offer an opt-out option.

Local trials are scheduled for June in various Australian towns and cities, including Launceston, Tasmania, and Port Douglas, Queensland. A significant national test is planned for July 27, 2026, targeting approximately 23 million smartphones, with an expected reach of up to 90% of phones in Australia. The AusAlert system is projected to be fully operational by October 2026, in anticipation of the 2026-27 high-risk weather season, with existing state-based systems to be decommissioned by July 2027. Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain emphasized the system's role in saving lives and protecting property, fulfilling a key recommendation from a royal commission.