Can you text 000 in Australia?

Safety reminder: If you need urgent help, call 000. Do not rely on SMS. Only use National Relay Service options if you cannot make a voice call.

When an emergency strikes, your instinct might be to reach for your phone and send a text. But can you text 000 in Australia?

The short and vital answer is no—you cannot send a standard text message (SMS) to Triple Zero (000).

If you need urgent medical help or to contact police or fire services, you must call 000.

Here’s what you need to know about emergency call options, accessibility services, and why SMS to 000 isn’t yet available in Australia.

Why you can’t text 000 in Australia

Although the idea sounds logical, standard text messaging isn’t reliable enough for emergency services at this stage. Emergency operators need to confirm your location quickly, determine the type of emergency, and stay in contact until help arrives—and ordinary SMS doesn’t guarantee any of that.

Key reasons why texting 000 doesn’t work

1. SMS isn’t instant or guaranteed. Messages can be delayed or lost in a busy network or during disasters.
2. No automatic location data. Unlike voice calls, text messages can’t automatically send your latitude and longitude coordinates.

3. Voice calls save time. Operators can ask questions in real time and provide urgent instructions.

4. Routing complexity. 000 call systems are built for voice routing. SMS would require new infrastructure and regulation.

The current emergency numbers in Australia

Number	Service	When to Use
000 (Triple Zero)	Main emergency number for police, fire or ambulance services	Voice calls only — free from all phones
112	Global mobile emergency number	Connects to 000 if mobile coverage is available
106	Text-based relay for TTY/Textphone users	For people who are Deaf or have a hearing/speech impairment
1800 555 727	Speak and Listen (voice relay) via NRS	For callers who cannot use a TTY but need text or relay support
132 500	State Emergency Service (SES)	For flood, storm or natural disaster help
131 444	Police Assistance Line	For non-urgent police help

You can also use the Emergency+ app, developed by the Australian government, to call 000 and automatically share your GPS coordinates with the operator.

Accessibility: How 106 and the National Relay Service Work

You’re not left out if you have a hearing or speech impairment. Australia operates dedicated text-based and relay pathways through the National Relay Service (NRS).

106 — Text Emergency Service

• For people using TTY (text telephone) or a computer with modem access.
• You type PPP for police, FFF for fire, or AAA for ambulance.
• A relay officer reads your message to emergency operators and types back their responses.
• It’s unavailable via mobile SMS—only TTY or compatible software can use 106.

SMS Relay (via NRS) 

You can use SMS Relay if you can’t make a voice call but don’t have a TTY. It works like this:

1. Send an SMS to 0423 677 767 (the NRS SMS Relay number).
2. Write: “000, SERVICE (Police/Fire/Ambulance), your name, street address, and brief details”. Example: “000 POLICE Jane Doe 45 George St Sydney – intruder in house”.
3. Wait for confirmation and instructions.
4. The relay officer contacts 000 on your behalf and messages you back through the same SMS thread.
5. Stay on your phone until you are told the call is complete.

This service ensures Australians who can’t use voice calls still have a clear pathway to emergency help.

What happens if you call 000 but can’t speak?

If you call Triple Zero and cannot talk—for example, because of injury or threat—there’s a built-in safety step. When the operator answers and hears no response, the call is directed to an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. You’ll hear: “If you can’t speak, press 55.”

Pressing 55 tells the operator your call is a genuine emergency. You may then be asked yes/no questions and can respond using the keypad.

Do not hang up. Stay on the line—even silence helps dispatchers trace your location.

This “press 55” system is an essential fallback for Australians in dangerous or silenced situations.

Visual guide: How SMS relay connects you to emergency services

Why SMS to 000 keeps coming up 

People often assume texting 000 should be an option. Common examples include:

• Domestic violence or hostage situations, where silence is critical
• Medical emergencies that cause speech loss
• Older Australians who find texting easier than speaking
• Deaf or hearing-impaired users.

While these scenarios make SMS appear useful, the system’s limitations—delays, message failures, and lack of precise location—make it unsafe for general use. That’s why relay pathways exist, rather than direct texting.

Future developments in emergency communication 

Australia’s emergency call network is modernising, but carefully. Recent improvements include:

• Advanced Mobile Location (AML): Sends your phone’s GPS coordinates automatically when you call 000.

• Wi-Fi calling: Allows emergency calls from mobile phones connected to Wi-Fi when coverage is weak.

• Emergency+ app updates: Integrates map coordinates, medical info, and quick-dial functions.

• New oversight proposals: ACMA’s planned Triple Zero Custodian role to ensure system resilience.

• National Messaging System (NMS): Replacing older emergency alert systems by 2026, providing nationwide SMS alerts for disasters.

However, none of these updates currently enable SMS to 000 for the general public.

Common questions about emergency calls in Australia

Can I text 000 in Australia?

No—standard SMS to 000 is not supported. Only the NRS SMS Relay number connects to emergency operators via text.

What if I’m outside mobile coverage?

Move to where your phone can connect to any carrier network. Calls to 000 and 112 only work if there is some network coverage.

Does 112 work without credit or a SIM card?

Yes. 112 connects to 000 from any mobile network when a signal is available.

How can I contact emergency services if I can’t speak or hear?

Use 106 (TTY) or SMS Relay via NRS (0423 677 767). Both are operated by trained relay officers.

Can I text the police or SES directly?

No. These services accept calls only. Use 131 444 for police assistance or 132 500 for the SES (floods, storms).

Reliable messaging matters, especially when every second counts

While you can’t text 000 in Australia, the conversation around emergency communication highlights one crucial truth—clarity, reliability, and speed are critical in messaging.

At Esendex, we help organisations deliver reliable, secure, and immediate mobile messaging—from urgent customer alerts to service notifications—so the right information reaches the right people at the right time. Learn more about Esendex.

More Posts