The Australian Government has designed new program to communicate important updates about emergencies. This program is called AusAlert. This program will soon have a national test day on the 27th of July. On that day the program will send messages to our personal devices – phones, smart watches and tablets.
Depending on where you live in Australia, the test will happen at a different time.
Qld, NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania the time is 2pm
SA and NT, 1:30pm
WA 12 noon.
At the test time, what will happen is an AusAlert message will appear on device screens and devices will play an alarm warning sound for about 10 seconds.
For us as Deaf people, there's some things we should think about.
Firstly, if your phone is connected to your cochlear implant or hearing aid you might want to think about that sound and if you want to turn your cochlear or hearing aid off. It’s your choice.
Secondly, with family violence, it can be important sometimes to have a secret phone. Secret phones are also included in the test and will have the alarm sound, same as other phones.
How can you stop your phone or device from being involved in the test and getting the message and alarm sound? First, you can turn your phone off. Secondly, you can put the phone into airplane or flight mode. Timing is important. So, you will need to turn your phone off one hour before the test happens and leave it off until one hour after the test has finished.
If you want to connect with family violence services firstly, in an emergency, call triple zero, 000. Using the National Relay Service, Convo or AEI Auslan Emergency Interpreting.
Another available support is 1800RESPECT. I will provide you with the number for messaging and calling 1800RESPECT.
It’s important to remember that this is a test day, that's all. It is not an urgent situation, only a test. So, when your test AusAlert message arrives, you can feel calm as it is just testing.
If you have some questions, you can ask AusAlert directly or contact us here at Deaf Australia and we will do our best to answer.
AusAlert National Test Day: What Deaf People Need to Know
The Australian Government has introduced AusAlert, a new national system designed to send important information during emergencies.
A national test of AusAlert will take place on Sunday 27 July. During the test, messages will be sent to personal devices, including mobile phones, smart watches and tablets.
Test times
The test will occur at different times across Australia:
- Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania: 2:00 pm
- South Australia and Northern Territory: 1:30 pm
- Western Australia: 12:00 noon
What will happen during the test?
At the test time:
- An AusAlert message will appear on your device screen.
- Your device will play a warning alarm sound for approximately 10 seconds.
This is only a test and does not indicate a real emergency.
Important considerations for Deaf people
Cochlear implants and hearing aids
If your phone is connected to a cochlear implant or hearing aid, you may wish to consider the impact of the alarm sound.
You can choose whether to disconnect your device or turn off your cochlear implant or hearing aid before the test.
Family violence and secret phones
For some people experiencing family violence, a hidden or secret phone may be an important safety tool.
Secret phones will also receive the AusAlert test message and alarm sound.
How to avoid receiving the test alert
If you do not want a device to receive the test alert, you can:
- Turn the device off, or
- Place the device in airplane (flight) mode.
Timing is important. To avoid receiving the alert, your device must be turned off or placed in airplane mode at least one hour before the test and remain that way until one hour after the test has finished.
Support for people experiencing family violence
If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
You can also access emergency assistance through:
- National Relay Service (NRS)
- Convo
- AEI Auslan Emergency Interpreting
Additional support is available through 1800RESPECT. Contact information for both phone and messaging services is available below.
Remember: this is only a test
The AusAlert message on 27 July is only a national test.
There is no emergency. When you receive the alert, you can remain calm knowing it is simply part of testing the new system.
Questions?
If you have questions about AusAlert, you can contact AusAlert directly or get in touch with Deaf Australia. We will do our best to help answer your questions.
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