In an emergency, getting connected quickly is what matters most. Even when you're outside our coverage, a 000 call can still get through, as long as another mobile network is available.
All Australian mobile network operators work behind the scenes to help your Triple Zero (000) call connect. Here's how it works, the backups in place, and what to do if you're having trouble connecting.
When you call 000 from a mobile phone, it will first try to connect using your own mobile network. If your network isn't available, your phone will try to connect to another mobile network, if one is available. This is known as emergency camp-on.
If your network is unavailable, your phone looks for another available mobile network and temporarily connects to call 000. You don't need to change any settings or do anything yourself. It works automatically at no cost to you, even without an active SIM in your phone.
Emergency camp-on can take time, sometimes up to 60 seconds, to connect to another network. Generally, there will be silence on the line while this happens.
Keeping your device software up to date and restarting it regularly can help ensure it remains compatible with features such as emergency camp-on, which may assist with access to Triple Zero (000) when another mobile network is available.
All phones are different. If emergency camp-on is available, your phone will usually show one of the following.
If your phone shows no service, there's no mobile network coverage available where you are, and you won't be able to call 000 using a mobile network. Some phones may also show a satellite connection. The same applies there: 000 can't currently be reached over satellite.
Triple Zero (000) calls also cannot be made through apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger. To reach emergency services, customers need to use their phone's dial pad and call 000 directly.
Emergency camp-on won't work if you're out of range of every network. In that situation:
Yes, but only from a mobile. Dialling 112 connects you to the same Triple Zero service. It's the international emergency number recognised by mobile networks worldwide, which is why it works here the same way it does across Europe. What it won't do is work from a landline or a satellite phone. It also won't push you to the front of the queue.
The bigger myth is that 112 finds coverage when 000 can't. It doesn't. You can dial 112 without a SIM card and without entering your PIN, but the call still needs a signal from at least one mobile network. If no carrier reaches where you're standing, neither number gets through.
Emergency camp-on is designed for compatible mobile phones where another mobile network is available. Some devices, including certain medical and personal safety devices, IoT devices and monitoring systems, may not support emergency camp-on.
If you rely on a device such as a fall detection system, alarm pendant or health monitoring device, contact your service provider or manufacturer to understand any potential impacts and whether alternative connectivity options, such as Wi-Fi, are available.
If you cannot connect to Triple Zero, keep yourself safe, move away from danger if possible, help others where safe to do so, seek help from people nearby or use any available means to contact emergency services.
Access to 000 is a vital service, and we're committed to keeping it reliable. For more on connecting to Triple Zero, visit triplezero.gov.au (opens new tab).
