What is Emergency Alert?
Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system.
It is one of many ways emergency services such as police, fire and emergency services, can warn a community of a likely or actual emergency.Emergency Alert is not used in all circumstances. Whether emergency services decide to issue telephone warnings through Emergency Alert will depend on the nature of the incident.
The warning system sends voice messages to landline telephones and text messages to mobile telephones within a specific area defined by the emergency service organisation issuing the warning message, about likely or actual emergencies such as fire, flood, or extreme weather events.
You should not wait to receive a warning message before you act.
What is the Standard Emergency Warning Signal?
The Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) is a distinctive audio signal that alerts the community to the broadcast of an urgent safety message relating to a major emergency.
Emergency services may include SEWS as part of warning messages sent to landline telephones by Emergency Alert.
When is Emergency Alert used?
Whether emergency services decide to issue telephone warnings through Emergency Alert will depend on the nature of the incident.
Emergency Alert is not used in all circumstances. In an emergency you should use a range of information sources and check them continuously to stay aware of local conditions. These information sources may include radio, television and state or territory emergency services websites.
You should not wait to receive a warning message before you act.
How many times has Emergency Alert been used?
Since Emergency Alert warning system became operational on 1 December 2009 it has been used on more than 2,250 separate occasions nationally and close to 70 million messages have been issued.
The system has been used in all states and territories for a range of emergencies. These include storm, flood, tsunami, bushfire, storm surge, chemical incident and missing person emergencies.
What services are available for those who don’t speak English?
The Emergency Alert system only issues voice and text warning messages in English.
Members of the community are encouraged to discuss emergency preparedness with family, friends and neighbours who do not speak English, so they are able to act if they receive a warning message.
Emergency Alert print advertising which can be found here: www.emergencyalert.gov.au/languages (External link) has been translated in 30 languages .
Can I call 0444 444 444 if I missed the original message?
No. Emergency Alert is a one way messaging system.
If you call the number, you will only receive a recorded announcement stating that further information should be sought from sources such as radio or emergency services websites.
What is one of the most critical points about Emergency Alert?
Whether emergency services decide to issue telephone warnings through Emergency Alert will depend on the nature of the incident.
Emergency Alert is not used in all circumstances. In an emergency you should use a range of information sources and check them continuously to stay aware of local conditions. These information sources may include radio, television and state or territory emergency services websites.
You should not wait to receive a warning message before you act.
How do I know if the message is authentic or genuine?
If the caller ID number or message header on your phone displays the number '0444 444 444' it is genuine.
The message tells you where to go for further information. You can also check with other sources, for example radio, websites or neighbours, to confirm the authenticity of the message.
Warning messages on your landline will start with the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (External link)(SEWS) tone.
I've received a warning message, where can I find out more about the emergency?
It is important that you listen to the voice message on your landline telephone or read the text message on your mobile telephone carefully and understand what action the emergency services want you to take.
The warning message should direct you to sources of further information such as emergency services websites or telephone information lines.
If you missed hearing the message, check information sources including radio, television and emergency services websites for emergency information.
The content of warning messages are not published on this website.
What happens if you receive a warning message on your mobile at work?
You must follow emergency procedures in place at your workplace during an emergency. Warning messages sent through Emergency Alert do not replace existing workplace emergency arrangements.
Who pays for the warning message?
Each state and territory government is responsible for the usage charges. You are not charged and will not have to pay if you receive a warning message sent through Emergency Alert warning system.
Can I 'opt out'?
No. You cannot opt out of being sent a warning message to your telephone.
Who issues warning messages sent with Emergency Alert?
Authorised personnel from emergency services such as police and fire services can use the Emergency Alert system to send telephone warning messages.
Whether emergency services decide to issue telephone warnings through Emergency Alert will depend on the nature of the incident.
Emergency Alert is not used in all circumstances. In an emergency you should use a range of information sources and check them continuously to stay aware of local conditions. These information sources may include radio, television and state or territory emergency services websites.
You should not wait to receive a warning message before you act.
Do I need to sign up to receive warning messages on my phone?
No. You do not need to register to receive warning messages sent through Emergency Alert.
Emergency services can use Emergency Alert to send a warning message to mobile telephones based on the last known location of the handset and to all telephones based on registered service addresses.
It is important that the registered service address of your mobile telephone is up to date. You can update your registered service address with your telephone service provider.
To find out more about location-based Emergency Alert on the 4G network see ‘Will the messages be received by mobile phones on the 4G network?’
Who issues warning messages sent with Emergency Alert?
Authorised personnel from emergency services such as police and fire services can use the Emergency Alert system to send telephone warning messages.
Whether emergency services decide to issue telephone warnings through Emergency Alert will depend on the nature of the incident.
Emergency Alert is not used in all circumstances. In an emergency you should use a range of information sources and check them continuously to stay aware of local conditions. These information sources may include radio, television and state or territory emergency services websites.
You should not wait to receive a warning message before you act.
What will the message say?
The warning message will provide information on the current emergency, what action to take and where to find further information.
Why didn’t I get the text (SMS) message?
You may not have received the text message on your mobile telephone for a number of reasons including:
- your text message inbox was full
- the emergency services chose other ways to warn people who may be in the affected area at the time of the emergency
- your mobile telephone was switched off or was not in a mobile telephone coverage area
- the last known location of your handset was not within the warning area at the time of the emergency
- you have not updated your registered service address.
- the telecommunications mobile infrastructure might be affected.