Domestic violence victims on the Northern Beaches who keep a secret phone hidden as part of their escape plan need to aware of the potential dangers associated with the rollout of Australia’s new national emergency warning system. Local services are urging victims to plan ahead to avoid detection while they work with industry bodies on a long-term solution.
AusAlert, a national emergency warning system designed to alert residents via their mobile phones of emergencies such as natural disasters or terrorist events, will be tested nationwide on 27 July 2026 at 2pm AEST. Certain communities have also been identified for initial testing in June 2026.
While the alert will convey details of the emergency to affected residents the alert includes a loud warning sound and vibration which will sound even if a phone is on Silent or Do Not Disturb.
For domestic violence victims with a hidden safe phone (as part of their plan to leave), this could prove dangerous as the testing could alert a perpetrator to the presence of a hidden phone.
“National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has considered the impact that community-based trials and the national test may have on people who are impacted by domestic and family violence at length,” a NEMA spokesperson told us.
“In the period leading up to the tests, we will be communicating how those impacted can take steps to minimise any potential exposure through the wider public awareness campaign.
“In some cases, people may choose to switch off their mobile device during the test period.”
There remains broader concern once the AusAlert system is implemented that phones will be detected during real emergencies; While testing can be planned and phones can be turned off with warning, sudden real emergencies will trigger an alert to every phone in the affected area.
Women & Children First, a Northern Beaches service assisting those experiencing domestic violence, said the sector is adapting to the new government initiative.
“Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like there’s a long-term option to safeguard against actual emergencies,” a W&CF spokesperson told Manly Observer.
“We will discuss this further with our peak body, Domestic Violence NSW and inter-agencies regarding best practice for addressing both future system tests and actual emergencies.”
NEMA added they will work with peak and support agencies at a national, state and local level, as well as experts across the public and private sector to ensure support and advice is given to vulnerable cohorts, including those impacted by domestic violence, people with a disability, people with low digital literacy, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and young people with mobile devices.
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Last year, W&CF supported 1,176 women and children escaping violence and homelessness. On average, around 80 women and children received ongoing support each month.
However, the need for DV support far outweighed the capacity. At least 311 women and children needing safe housing could not be helped. Instead, they were referred to other organisations who are also stretched to their budget and resource limits.
On 8 May 2026, W&CF will hold its annual Mother’s Day fundraising lunch at Manly Pacific with local podcasters Gem & Revs from We Don’t Have Time For This to host and Olympian Chloe Dalton OAM as the keynote speaker.
According to W&CF, Northern Beaches recorded the second highest two-year increase in domestic violence-related assault incidents in NSW, rising 15.7 per cent.
At the same time, Northern Beaches has one of the most expensive rental markets in Sydney. While Sydney’s median rent is $750 per week, local rents are dramatically higher: $2,203 in Balgowlah Heights, around $1,850 in parts of Manly, $1,675 in North Curl Curl and $1,559 in Collaroy. Even suburbs considered more affordable, such as Dee Why ($1,119), Wheeler Heights ($1,100) and Cromer ($1,025), remain well above the Sydney median.
To make the situation harder, W&CF said vacancy rates sit between 0.9 and 1.5 per cent.
“We live in one of the wealthiest and most well-resourced states in the country, yet women and children are being forced back into violence because we can’t commit just 0.1 per cent of the state budget to the services that save their lives,” DVNSW CEO Delia Donovan said.
Learn more about the shelter and services here: https://www.wacf.org.au/
Learn more about AusAlert here: https://www.nema.gov.au/our-work/risk-reduction/ausalert
