Residents across Liverpool will receive a loud emergency alert on their mobile phones tomorrow afternoon as the Federal Government continues testing its new national warning system, AusAlert.
At 4pm tomorrow (Wednesday, June 17), compatible mobile devices in the Liverpool area will vibrate and sound a siren-like alert for around 10 seconds as part of a community trial ahead of the system’s national rollout in October 2026.
Designed to provide fast, geo-targeted warnings during emergencies, AusAlert will be used to notify Australians about threats including bushfires, floods, cyclones, tsunamis, security incidents, public health emergencies and biosecurity events.
Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain described the technology as a major step forward in public safety.
“AusAlert is a game changer, using the latest technology to help authorities deliver near-real-time messages to precise locations, or scaled up to a national level,” she said.
Unlike traditional SMS alerts, AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology to send warnings directly to compatible phones within a specific geographic area, helping authorities quickly reach people in danger zones.
McBain said the local trials were critical to ensuring the system operates effectively before its nationwide launch.
“Our community-based trials are a key part of preparing for AusAlert’s introduction, helping us identify and fix any potential issues and raise public awareness,” she said.
The alert will clearly identify itself as a test, although the appearance may vary depending on the device and operating system being used.
Residents may not receive the alert if their phone is switched off, in aeroplane mode, has not been updated to the latest software version, or is outside mobile coverage.
Federal Member for Hughes David Moncrieff said the technology would help keep communities informed during rapidly evolving emergencies.
“AusAlert is about keeping Australians safe in an uncertain world,” he said.
“The Liverpool community test is important to finding and troubleshooting any issues early in the roll-out.”
Following today’s Liverpool trial, a nationwide AusAlert test is scheduled for 2pm local time on Monday, 27 July.
The new system is expected to become operational across Australia from October 2026.
