Australia connected in times of disaster

The ability to send critical messages, alerts and warnings to at-risk communities during an emergency, disaster or crisis, helps to safeguard communities against the loss of life, injury and damange to property.

The Australian Government has committed funding over four years from 2023-24 to build a trusted National Messaging System (NMS) that targets messaging in real time during emergencies.

Purpose

The increased number and intensity of disasters across Australia requires a highly targeted, sophisticated NMS, based on cell-broadcast technology.

This system will enable prioritised real-time messages to mobile devices in defined geographic areas during emergencies such as bushfires, floods, and events affecting national security.

National Messaging System

The Australian Government is providing funding over four years from 2023-24 to build an effective and trusted NMS.

Providing effective messaging in near real time improves a community’s ability to act quickly and decisively against loss of life, injury, damage to property, and reduces the spread of misinformation during a variety of unpredictable threats and disasters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the funding provide?

The funding will support the:

• development of the Cell Broadcast Entity (CBE)
• implementation of a Cell Broadcast Centre (CBC) in each mobile carrier’s network
• roll-out of a national public awareness campaign
• creation a of national training program for government agencies and State and Territory users.

What is the timeline?

The National Messaging System (NMS) will be fully operational by late 2024. The Australian Government is providing funding over four (4) years.

How much funding has been allocated?

The 2023 Budget announced funding for the implementation of the National Messaging System (NMS), including sustaining the system into the future, network integration, and investment in a public awareness campaign to prepare the Australian public before its launch. 

To ensure fairness in upcoming procurement processes, the specific funding allocation is not public at this time.