In response to the September Optus outage that blocked some Triple Zero calls and was linked to multiple deaths, the federal government is fast-tracking new rules to force telcos to be more transparent.

From November 1, carriers will be required to provide real-time updates on emergency-call service disruptions, including the geographical spread and scale of outages, with updates every six hours during the first 24 hours.

Carriers must also submit detailed reports within 45 days outlining recovery actions and mitigation plans.

Telecommunications Minister Anika Wells has warned that any company failing these obligations will be “held to full account”, noting that delays in notifying authorities or the public during crises are unacceptable.

The federal government also plans to introduce a dedicated Triple Zero oversight role – a watchdog to enhance accountability across the emergency communications system.

Optus has responded by appointing Kerry Schott, former NBN Co director, to lead an independent review into the September 18 outage that disrupted emergency calls.

The board says the inquiry will examine technical, procedural and governance failings.

Meanwhile, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has launched its own compliance investigation into how Optus handled emergency call obligations and whether it breached rules governing outage communications.

Critics, including opposition parties and consumer advocates, argue the reforms, though welcome, may still lack teeth.

Some are now calling for a broader, independent review of the nationwide Triple Zero framework, arguing that systemic weaknesses must first be exposed before public trust can be rebuilt.