If you find yourself in an emergency which is either life threatening or where time is critical, you can contact fire services, police or ambulance:
- by TTY - dial 106
- by internet relay and ask for Triple Zero (000), or
- by ordinary phone - dial 1800 555 727 and ask for Triple Zero (000).
106 TTY emergency service
The 106 service is the world's first national text-based emergency service. It provides access for TTY users to fire, police and ambulance services and is available 24 hours a day, every day. If you rely on a TTY to make calls, you can dial 106 in an emergency. 106 calls have priority over other TTY calls.
- Simply dial 106. This is a free number which connects you to the relay officer.
- You will be asked if you want police (type PPP), fire (type FFF) or ambulance (type AAA). Note: Speak and Read users just need to say "police", "fire" or "ambulance" to the relay officer.
- The relay officer will dial the correct service and stay on line to relay your conversation with the emergency service.
- Because a TTY is connected to a fixed line, the emergency service can locate where you care calling from - you will be asked to confirm your address.
- The 106 service can only be dialled from a TTY. It cannot be reached by:
- an ordinary phone
- text message (SMS) on a mobile phone, or
- internet relay (see below).
Emergency calls via internet relay
If you are using internet relay, you can request Triple Zero (000) - the voice emergency service. Your call will be given priority over other internet relay calls.
- You will be asked if you want police, fire or ambulance.
- The relay officer will dial the correct service and stay on the line to relay the call to the emergency service.
Note that when you make an emergency call through internet relay:
- you will need to provide your location since we cannot automatically identify where you are (unlike a call to 106 or to 1800 555 727). If you can't provide your location, for example you pass out while making the call, the emergency service may not be able to find you.
- the call may not be as reliable as a call using a fixed line such as a TTY. Internet relay calls have the same reliability as the internet generally. You might not always be able to connect to the internet or calls might occasionally drop out.
Speak and Listen emergency calls
There is a separate emergency call procedure for Speak and Listen callers who use an ordinary phone or mobile rather than a TTY.
- Dial 1800 555 727 and then ask for Triple Zero (000).
Note that calls to this number are given priority over other NRS calls. - You will be asked if you want police, fire or ambulance.
- The relay officer will dial the correct service and stay on the line to help you, if necessary, communicate with the emergency service.
If you make the call from a landline, the emergency service can trace your location (which may be important, for example, if you pass out before confirming your address). If you ring from a mobile and can't provide your location, the emergency service may not be able to find you.
Note: You can of course ring Triple Zero (000) directly if you feel confident that you can be understood by emergency services.
Tips for emergency calls
- Always ask for the service you need - police, fire or ambulance.
- Don't hang up. Wait for a reply from the emergency service.
- Be ready to explain the emergency.
- You will need to state or confirm your location. This will help route the call to the closest emergency services operator as quickly as possible.
- The relay officer will stay on the line to relay your conversation. The emergency service will ask you questions and decide on the best way to help you.
Your privacy
The NRS respects your privacy and treats all calls with confidentiality. However, all 106 and 000 emergency calls are recorded so that emergency services such as the police can track events if necessary. See more on call privacy.
NSW smoke alarm subsidy scheme
If you live in NSW and are deaf or have a hearing impairment you may be eligible to receive a special visual and vibrating smoke alarm for your home. The cost of these alarms is subsidised by the NSW Government and scheme is managed by the Deaf Society of NSW. Find out more.
