Emergency warnings in the NT

It is important that you stay safe during an emergency event.

See how you may be alerted of an emergency or weather event.

Australian Warning System

The Australian Warning System (AWS) is a national warning system that helps you stay safe during a weather event.

It uses nationally consistent emergency alert levels, icons and messages for hazards like:

• bushfires
• extreme heat
• floods
• cyclones
• storms.

The AWS alert level is determined by The Bureau of Meteorology's (BOM) advice for a weather event.

The BOM focuses on the risk and severity of a weather event, and the AWS alerts informs you of what you need to prepare and stay safe.

AWS icons and warning levels

The AWS has a nationally consistent set of recognisable icons for each hazard and three levels of warning.

• Advice (yellow) - stay up to date.
• Watch and act (orange) - conditions are changing, start taking action.
• Emergency warning (red) - act immediately.

For more information about the AWS icons and warning levels, go to the AWS website.

Hazard	Advice	Watch and act	Emergency warning
Cyclone
Fire
Flood
Storm
Extreme heat
Other

AusAlert emergency messages

The text-based Emergency Alert is being replaced with AusAlert in October 2026.

AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology to allow authorities across Australia to send geographically targeted emergency messages to all compatible mobile phones, tablets and smart watches within a 160-metre accuracy.

Community-based AusAlert tests will take place in June 2026. For the Northern Territory, a test alert message will be sent to Tennant Creek on 18 June 2026.

A national test will take place at 2pm AEST on Monday 27 July 2026 to confirm the system’s full capability and support awareness of the new system.

During the national test, everyone in Australia with a compatible mobile phone, tablet or smart watch will receive an alert.

Until AusAlert is operational, the text-based Emergency Alert will continue as the telephone warning tool used by emergency services to send:

• voice messages to landlines
• text messages to mobile phones.

These messages are sent from the phone number +61 444 444 444. If you receive a message from this number, follow all instructions.

For more information, go to the AusAlert website.

Standard Emergency Warning Signal

The Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) is a siren used with the AWS at the emergency level when immediate action must be taken.

The siren may used on:

• radio
• TV
• social media.

Only the NT Emergency Service chief officer, the Bureau of Meteorology NT regional director, or their delegates can authorise the siren.

When you hear the siren, you should pay immediate attention. Listen to the announcement and follow any instructions given.

Listen to the SEWS sound MP3 (78.0 KB).

Fire danger ratings

The Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) is used nationally.

Fire danger ratings describe the potential danger level of a bushfire. They provide the community with information to take action and protect themselves and others from fire hazards.

Fire danger ratings are used to communicate the consequences of a fire, if one was to start. On days when there is minimal risk, ‘no rating’ will be used.

For more information, go to the Australian Fire Danger Rating System website.

Fire ban days

Fire bans are issued by the Bushfires NT Chief Fire Control Officer and NT Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer for specific areas when weather conditions indicate an increased fire risk.

Fire bans are generally issued for 24-hour periods and are communicated through local media and social media posts.

On fire ban days, no person shall light a fire or cause a fire to be lit in the open within the affected areas.

Read more about fire bans and fire danger periods.

Warnings outside the NT

Check the websites of each jurisdiction to find out how to stay informed during an emergency.

• Western Australia - go to Emergency WA
• Victoria - go to VicEmergency
• Tasmania - go to TasALERT
• New South Wales - go to Hazard Watch NSW
• Queensland - go to Get Ready Queensland
• South Australia - go to South Australia advice and warnings
• Australian Capital Territory - go to ACT Emergency Services Agency
• New Zealand - go to New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency.

More information

For more information about:

• current incidents and information about how to prepare for an emergency, go to SecureNT
• weather information and warnings, go to the Bureau of Meteorology.