The Australian Government is funding the build of a National Messaging System (NMS).

Connecting Australians during disasters

The cell broadcast system will send targeted messages quickly during emergencies. The NMS will reliably connect Australia in times of disaster. The funding will run for four years, starting in 2023 to 2024.

Sending critical alerts and warnings to at-risk communities is key during an emergency, disaster or crisis. It supports their ability to act quickly and decisively. It helps them to safeguard against loss of life, injury, and damage to property. It also reduces the spread of misinformation.

We're co-delivering this project with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA).

How the NMS works

The NMS delivers telephony-based warning messages to compatible devices. It will work locally, regionally and nationally, in near real-time.

Cell broadcast technology enables point-to-area communication. It occurs between a mobile operator’s radio cell tower(s) and all devices in a specified area.

This system will send prioritised messages to mobile devices. It will target affected areas and communities during emergencies. These include bushfires, floods, and events affecting security.

Advantages of a National Messaging System

• Proven: Standards-based and used in over 20 countries.
• One-to-many: Delivers messages to all compatible handheld devices in a specified zone.
• Speed: Cell broadcasts can reach millions of devices at near real time.
• Targeted: Geo-specific and scalable, can be targeted locally, regionally or across the nation.
• Secure: Cell broadcast messages can only be sent through an authorised server. This keeps the messages more secure and protects against scammers.
• Minimises mobile network congestion: Doesn’t add pressure on the network. Works even when network is busy.
• System-level privacy: Doesn't need or access private information.

Why this initiative is important

The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements 2020 (the Royal Commission) found emergency warning systems are critical. They allow governments’ to deliver messages quickly that alert the public to emerging and imminent threats.

Adding a NMS capability will help. It will deliver on the Australian Government’s commitment to support state and territory emergency needs. It addresses the need to improve Australia’s information and warnings system technology.

The end-to-end NMS will be fully operational in 2025.

What the funding will 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 of a national training program for government agencies and state and territory users
• co-design of national operating protocols governing the use of the NMS
• comprehensive national testing process

The funding also includes ongoing care of the system and network integration.

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