AusAlert test to set off siren across all Australian smartphones
A 10 second siren will sound on all smartphones, tablets and other 4G and 5G compatible devices in Australia at 2pm AEST on July 27. Here’s what your family needs to do when that happens
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Smartphones across Australia are set to emit a 10 second siren on Monday as the Government tests out its new national alert system.
The platform, called AusAlert, is due to replace the current national warning system from October this year and has been designed to deliver faster and more detailed messages during emergencies.
Before the rollout, millions of Australians are expected to receive a nationwide test message accompanied by a siren sound on their smartphones and other 4G or 5G compatible devices at 2pm AEST on July 27.
But why is the Government introducing this new alert system? And is there a way to stop the siren sounding out during the test?
WHAT IS AUS ALERT?
AusAlert is the federal government’s new emergency messaging system that will send warnings directly to Australian mobile phones during life-threatening events such as bushfires, floods, cyclones and other major emergencies.
It will send an alert to your phone accompanied by a 10-second siren.
It’s designed to send more location-specific alerts than the current system, which is called Emergency Alert.
“Emergency Alert will be phased out in 2027 as the new AusAlert system becomes fully operational,” the NT government stated.
WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS?
The alert system has raised concerns from emergency services in Western Australia and Queensland that are worried the system won’t be able to reach residents living in remote areas, who still rely on landlines.
However, Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain has explained that two services would run at the same time as part of the AusAlert system, one of which would be used for landlines.
“At the moment we’re continuing to run Emergency Alert as well, which has an automated voice capacity to deliver messages to landlines,” she said.
WHY IS AUSTRALIA REPLACING THE CURRENT SYSTEM?
The existing Emergency Alert platform has been in use since 2009 and relies mostly on text and voice messages.
The new emergency alerts won’t be sending text messages but instead will be sending a broadcast through cell technology* to hit any compatible device in a particular area.
Ms McBain said the current system relies on telcos*, which may prevent emergency alerts from being sent to residents if there is an outage with the service provider.
“One of the issues with the current system is if a telco tower goes out, and you don’t have access to that telco provider, you don’t receive an emergency text message,” she said.
WHAT ARE THE SCHEDULED TIMES FOR EACH STATE?
A nationwide test is scheduled for Monday, July 27, which means all compatible devices will be notified with a test alert, but due to different time zones, recipients will receive the notification at different times.
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT: 2pm AEST.
NT, SA, including Broken Hill: 1.30pm ACST.
Western Australia: 12pm AWST.
WILL I GET THE ALERT?
If you have a smartphone, smart watch or an iPad or tablet connected to a 4G or 5G internet connection, you should receive the alert.
“Everyone with a compatible, switched-on mobile device connected to an active 4G or 5G network in Australia will receive the nationwide AusAlert test,” the Australian government said in a statement.
However, it’s important to remember that in this instance, the alert is just a test and there is no emergency to act on. The alert notification will explain this.
You won’t need to register, download an app or subscribe to receive emergency messages.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I RECEIVE THE ALERT?
The most important step is to read emergency alerts carefully and follow any instructions they contain.
With the test alert, nothing needs to be done, but if you receive real warnings they may include advice to leave immediately, seek shelter or avoid particular areas depending on the nature of the emergency.
If this happens, it’s important to stay calm and speak to your parents, teacher (if you are at school) or another trusted adult straightaway to discuss your emergency plan. It’s also important to read the alert very carefully and follow any instructions given.
Authorities are also encouraging Australians to stay informed through official emergency services during severe weather and natural disasters, such as local police sites and fire service sites.
The AusAlert site advises Australians should not rely solely on the system to be notified about disasters. Another way your parents and teachers can stay informed is through the Hazards Near Me app.
“AusAlert is just one way to stay safe in an emergency. It’s important you don’t wait to receive an AusAlert before acting in a disaster,” the site states. “You must still prepare yourself and have an action plan.”
HOW DO I ADJUST PHONE SETTINGS TO OPT OUT?
You cannot opt out of AusAlert as all notifications are sent directly to all devices in a specific area.
Even on Silent and Do Not Disturb modes, AusAlerts will still ring out.
If you urgently need to avoid disruption that could be caused by the siren – like if you are in an exam or at a medical appointment – or you are sensitive to loud noises, the only way to prevent it is by turning your phone completely off or putting it into aeroplane mode.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- cell technology: using the 4G and 5G cellular networks, where geographical areas are divided up into different cells that are serviced by power stations or towers
- telcos: telecommunications companies, the service providers that we get our phone and internet from
- aeroplane mode: a setting that disables all wireless radio transmissions
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QUICK QUIZ
1. Why is Australia getting a new emergency alert system?
2. Who will receive the alert?
3. What time is the alert being issued?
4. What is being done to combat the concern that people without mobiles won’t get emergency alerts?
5. What are some other ways Australians can stay informed about emergencies?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Communicating an alert
Once the AusAlert system is in place, it will be important that any alerts sent out are very clear so that the community will know what is happening and what to do.
Imagine that you are the officer-in-charge of sending out an alert. The emergency is a severe storm with damaging winds that pose a danger to people, animals and property. The storm has not hit yet but is due to within the next 2-3 hours. Think about what the safest course of action will be for community members and how to communicate the instructions so that they are clear. It is important to include all essential details without making the message too long or confusing.
Once you have written your alert message, share it with a classmate. Take on any feedback they can give about how to make the message clearer and improve it if you can.
Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English
2. Extension
Can you think of any groups of people for whom the AusAlert messages may be more difficult to access? Propose a solution that could help them.
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English
VCOP ACTIVITY
Imaginative dialogue
Imagine you were there during the event being discussed in the article, or for the interview.
Create a conversation between two characters from the article – you may need or want to include yourself as one of the characters. Don’t forget to try to use facts and details from the article to help make your dialogue as realistic as possible.
Go through your writing and highlight any punctuation you have used in green. Make sure you carefully check the punctuation used for the dialogue and ensure you have opened and closed the speaking in the correct places.