Access to emergency services
People who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can contact emergency services including police, fire or ambulance directly through a TTY or computer connected to a modem to the text emergency call service number 106.
The 106 Text Emergency Service is equivalent to the Triple Zero (000) service, and is for use only for life-threatening or emergency situations where police, fire or ambulance is required.
The 106 Text Emergency Service is provided as part of the National Relay Service (NRS). Further information on the 106 Text Emergency Service is on the NRS website (
www.relayservice.com.au).
The government has announced the establishment of a mobile text-based emergency service for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. The department is currently reviewing a number of legislative and technical issues, which require consideration before such a service could be implemented.
