Later this month, there will be a phone alert you can't ignore – but don't worry, it's just a test.

This year's nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system will take place on Sunday, May 22, between 6pm-7pm.

Director of Civil Defence emergency management Gary Knowles says Emergency Mobile Alert is a vital information channel for alerting people to threats to their life, health or property.

'The nationwide test is a way to check our systems, the cell towers and your phone's ability to receive an Emergency Mobile Alert, so we have confidence it will perform as it should in an emergency.”

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You don't need to sign up or download an app.

Just make sure your phone is on and capable of receiving an alert, and your operating system is up-to-date.