A failed Optus upgrade stopped Triple Zero calls in parts of Australia on 18 September 2025. About 600 calls failed.
Key Facts
- Date: 18 September 2025
- Cause: a firewall upgrade
- Length: about 13 hours
- Areas: SA, WA, NT and far-west NSW
- Deaths identified in welfare checks: four (two in SA, two in WA)
What Happened
A firewall upgrade went wrong. Calls to Triple Zero could not get through for about 13 hours.
Optus was alerted by customers and SA Police in the early afternoon.
Lives Lost
Welfare checks found four people had died. Two were in South Australia and two were in Western Australia.
Optus Responds
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Optus Triple Zero outage?
A firewall upgrade.
How many calls failed?
About 600.
Which areas were affected?
SA, WA, the NT and far-west NSW.
Conclusion
The outage raised serious questions about emergency call safety.
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