Warnings & Alerts

In an emergency, the ACT Emergency Services Agency publishes warnings on this website and other communications channels.

For your survival, know where to find emergency information and keep informed of the latest updates.

View the ACT Emergency Services Agency Incidents Map

Australian Warning System (AWS)

The Australian Warning System is a nationally consistent method of displaying warning information with three levels of threat.

Advice (Yellow) An incident has started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.

Watch & Act (Orange) There is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.

Emergency Warning (Red) An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to act immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.

As well as the warning level, a warning will contain information on the situation, the expected impact on communities, and advice on what you should do to stay safe.

Hazard Types

The Australian Warning System is used in the ACT for a range of hazards, including:

• bushfire  
• flood  
• heatwave  
• severe weather  
• hazardous materials (HAZMAT) incidents. 

The same three warning levels — Advice, Watch & Act and Emergency Warning — help you quickly understand the level of threat. 

An emergency can happen when you least expect it, so, you need to know what to do.

Location Based Warnings

When a warning is issued, it will include information about the hazard location and impacted areas.

On the ACT Emergency Services Agency website and linked applications, you may see warnings displayed as an icon, or a polygon drawn around the affected area.

• Yellow overlay and or icon: Advice
• Orange overlay and or icon: Watch & Act
• Red overlay and or icon: Emergency Warning

Using the ACT Emergency Services Agency Incidents Map, click or tap on the overlay or icon to see additional information relevant to the warning.

AusAlert

AusAlert is a mobile emergency warning system used to send urgent messages directly to compatible mobile devices.

AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology to send a warning to compatible mobile phones and other devices in a defined geographic area. You do not need to register, download an app or provide your phone number.

An AusAlert is not a text message. It appears as an alert on your device and may make a distinctive siren-like sound and vibrate depending on the type of alert.

If you receive an AusAlert:

• read the message when it is safe to do so  
• follow the instructions in the alert  
• tell people nearby who may not have received it  
• continue to monitor ESA warnings and other trusted emergency information.  

AusAlert can reach compatible devices in a target area almost simultaneously, continues to work when conventional mobile networks are congested, and does not require an active SIM card. It also does not collect the recipient's phone number or location.

Emergency Alert

During the transition to AusAlert, emergency services will also continue to have access to the existing Emergency Alert system.

Emergency Alert can send SMS messages and automated telephone calls to mobile and fixed-line phones in a selected area. Emergency Alert messages may come from 0444 444 444.

Depending on the emergency, you may receive an AusAlert, an Emergency Alert,

Learn more about AusAlert & Emergency Alert.

Standard Emergency Warning Signal or SEWS

Before an Emergency Warning is broadcast, you may hear a distinct siren sound – called the Standard Emergency Warning Signal.

Media outlets including radio and television broadcasters use this sound to identify emergency warnings.

Where to go for more information

In an emergency, you can find additional information on the ACT Emergency Services Agency website and other channels.

• Check the ACT Emergency Services Agency website (esa.act.gov.au)
• Follow @ACTEmergencyServicesAgency on Facebook @ACT_ESA on X (formerly Twitter)
• Download and monitor the Hazards Near Me mobile app
• Listen to ABC Local Radio on 666 AM 
• Contact Access Canberra on 13 22 81

If your life is at risk, do not wait for a warning. Leaving early is the safest option.

Additional Information