Australia’s planned nationwide test of the AusAlert emergency alert system will still emit alert tones even on phones set to silent or “do not disturb,” according to reports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The test is intended to check that emergency alerts reach people on mobile devices. However, journalists highlight a concern for domestic and family violence (DV) victims who may rely on “safe phones” kept hidden from abusive partners. If such devices receive an audible alert during the test, it could reveal their presence or location. The articles describe safe phones as a key support tool for victims to contact services and receive information discreetly. The reporting also notes that AusAlert’s behaviour during the test could override standard phone notification settings, meaning affected users may not be able to prevent sound through their device controls. The sources agree the issue centres on the interaction between the emergency system’s alert delivery method and silent notification settings, during a test rather than a real emergency.