Community Safety Notice: When Your Mobile Phone and Triple Zero (000) - May Not Work in AUSTRALIA

Your mobile phone should be a lifeline in an emergency. But recent changes to Australia’s mobile networks mean some older phones may no longer work at all - including being unable to call 000 emergency services.

This is a public safety announcement to help you understand the situation and what to do.

This article explains infrastructure upgrades to the Australian networks for tourists heading to Australia and Australian residence with older phones.

• Regardless of network/provider and travel provider.
• Regardless of using an eSIM or pSIM (Traditional physical SIM card)

Australia’s major mobile operators have now switched off their 3G networks as part of industry-wide moves to improve speed and reliability using 4G and 5G technology. At the same time, the government - through the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) - introduced new rules requiring carriers to make sure phones on their networks can reliably call Triple Zero (000).

These new rules mean that carriers must identify and stop providing service to mobile phones that cannot call 000 under the current network standards. If a phone cannot make emergency calls once the 3G networks are switched off, it may be blocked from using the mobile network entirely.

📱 Which Phones Are Affected?

• 3G-only phones: These no longer operate at all once 3G is shut down.
• Older 4G phones that rely on 3G for emergency calls: If a device needs the defunct 3G network to complete a call to 000, it will be blocked.
• Some imported or grey-market phones: Devices not configured for Australian network emergency standards may be blocked even if they work elsewhere in the world.

If your phone is blocked, it won’t make calls, send texts, or use data - including making emergency calls to Triple Zero.

🚨 Why This Matters for Emergency Calls

Emergency calling in Australia now requires phones to support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and Australian emergency-call standards on 4G/5G networks. If a device does not support these standards, it may be unable to place an emergency call once 3G is unavailable.

This is why infrastructure carriers (eg Telstra, Optus Vodafone) are legally required to identify and stop offering service to phones that can’t make emergency calls - because allowing them to stay connected without this ability would create safety risks.

🛠 How to Check and Prepare Your Phone

• Contact your mobile provider and ask whether your phone supports emergency calling (VoLTE) on Australian 4G/5G networks.
• Check the phone manufacturer’s specifications for VoLTE and emergency calling support.
• Try this external 🔗 link from amta.org.au to see if your phone is affected (⚠️ AMTA last updated tool in October 2024 - use with caution)
• If you receive a carrier notification that your phone is incompatible, plan to upgrade soon.

📅 Important Tips Before Travel to Australia

• Make sure your phone supports VoLTE and Australian emergency call standards.
• Buy phones from reputable local or Australian retailers where possible.
• Verify compatibility before you travel - don’t assume old devices will work.

Final Safety Reminder

Your mobile phone is a powerful safety tool - but only if it can connect to the network and reach emergency services when needed. Changes to mobile technology and national rules mean older devices may no longer work, and in some cases will be blocked entirely.

Please share this announcement with anyone you know who may be in Australia or planning to visit soon if they have old phones.

Staying informed and preparing ahead can make all the difference in an emergency.