Millions of mobile phones across Australia will blast out 10-second sirens on Monday, as part of a nationwide test of a new emergency warning system.

But the test comes as some states remain concerned about the rollout of the national program.

The AusAlert system, which aims to provide more targeted emergency warnings for bushfires, floods and other natural disasters, will officially come online in October.

But some jurisdictions will continue to use their own warning systems even after that, federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said on Wednesday.

It will be up to each state and territory government to decide if it will allow the new AusAlert system to operate alongside their state-based programs.

“I’m sure that they’ve all got varying views on what they may need to do for this high-risk weather season,” McBain said at Melbourne’s State Control Centre.

She said the AusAlert system was “superior” because it did not rely on a single telco.

“Obviously, it would be great if we could use both systems to make sure that people are getting advice and notification if we need to advise people in those critical alert situations,” she said.

“That will be a decision for emergency service agencies who are in control of whatever that disaster may be at the time.”

What the message will look like. Photo: AusAlert

McBain was to meet her state and territory counterparts on Wednesday to discuss the new system.

Among the cohort is Queensland Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie, who hoped to resolve concerns about how the system will serve regional communities.

Purdie said the Crisafulli government supported the technology, but had questions about how those who relied on landlines would be contacted.

“Some states [have] indicated they might at this point be reluctant to roll it out,” he said.

“We’ll know more today after answering these questions.”

The AusAlert system will allow text and audio alerts to be sent to most active mobile devices across the country. It will eventually be extended to landline phones via automated voice.

Regional and remote communities, which are more likely to rely on landlines, may still be able to receive alerts through state-based warning systems.

Concerns have also been raised that those who keep a hidden phone, including women living in situations of domestic abuse, could be exposed by the test.

During a critical alert, compatible phones will play a loud siren even if they’re on silent or switched to do not disturb.

The National Emergency Management Agency has consulted with Australia’s peak domestic and family violence services body Wesnet on the potential risks.

Wesnet chief executive Karen Bentley advised vulnerable people to switch their phones off or onto aeroplane mode an hour before Monday’s test at 2pm AEST.

There are also concerns about people with older devices. Only Apple devices running iOS 26.4 and Android 12 or later will be capable of receiving the alert, which will be broadcast only in English.

McBain said most people’s phones would be up to date.

“You plug them into a wall, it’s connected to Wi-fi, they update automatically,” she said.

She said a siren could “move across language barriers”.

“People know when they hear a siren that there is an emergency happening,” she said.

McBain said all nine previous local tests of the AusAlert system had been successful. She denied state-based and national alerts operating simultaneously may cause confusion.

“People want as much information as possible,” she said.

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-with AAP