This website (formerly Scanner Australia) is not designed to replace sites such as NSWPSN or Radioreference. Instead, it focuses on all the talk groups and control channels needed to create a reliable database for the Sydney Metro and Rural NSW areas. It has all the information that I collected over the last 20 years - including the technical aspects of the Public Safety Network. Learn how it works - not only how to listen to it.
The database being used for the YouTube live streams has been written from the ground up and its taken me a long time to compile all that information without copying anything from other websites.
This is a non-profit project and I am making no money off of it.
Alongside the talk groups and control channels is information on each service, what it does, data on their operations and so forth. Such information can be found at the bottom of each category. All information found on this site is public information and you may copy it for your own personal use. You however cannot charge money for it.
In addition to the above, I also offer access to alternative methods to connect to the live streams of the PSN - which means you dont need to invest upwards of a thousand dollars for your own equipment and software or need to learn all the technical details on how to operate said equipment. The broadcasting of the Public Safety Network is legal & any Talk Groups that are considered sensitive are locked out from the public broadcast. You can access the YouTube Channel here. If you want to be part of a great growing community with the same shared interest in scanning, aviation flight tracking, CB radio and other related interests Join Discord Now
Additions
-
-
-
- RDIO is now operational, this is another reliable way to access the Public Safety Network communications using either a free iOS/Android app or using a web browser for access. It also allows for re-playing calls that came through the system earlier. For more information scroll down for a more detailed explanation and how to access it now.
- Main Menu Edited for ease of access.
- Technical and background information have been added to all major emergency services.
- The continuing additions of Talk Group IDs from the YouTube Main Database - relevant to each emergency service.
- Other
- Keep up to date with the website status on Discord.
-
-
About the Public Safety Network
Frequently Asked Questions about the Public Safety Networks` technical aspects and terminology. When buying a scanner, read the following carefully and check the page "Scanner Purchase Guide".
What is the Public Safety Network (PSN)?
The Government recently changed the NSW communications network used by a multitude of emergency and non-emergency agencies. This includes private companies such as Electric Companies, shopping centres and any other companies with the need to communicate over long distances via two-way radio. Its using technology called P25 (Project 25) but is also referred to as APCO25 and is now the national standard in New South Wales and some other states. Those systems are referred to as Trunked Systems - remember that term. Trunking is an essential part of the PSN or previously GRN.
Purpose: Provides encrypted digital radio communications for emergency and essential services, including transport-related operations.
• Coverage:
• Over 540,000 square km across NSW
• Targeting 85% land coverage and 99.95% availability
• Users:
• Emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
• Transport agencies (e.g. Sydney Trains, TfNSW field staff)
• Utilities and government departments
• Benefits:
• Interoperability across agencies
• Secure, reliable communications during incidents and daily operations
Phase I vs Phase II?
The latest upgrades have seen the PSN move to the Phase II system. The full technical description is APCO25 Phase I or II.
While some systems still use Phase I a majority of broadcast towers have now been upgraded (or enabled) Phase II. Some temporarily run on both systems at the same time. However, in order for a hobbyist to continue to listen to the PSN and its users, a Phase II capable scanner is an absolute requirement.
If you are in the market of buying a scanner ensure it is capable of receiving APCO25 digital AND Phase II. Otherwise all you`d be able to listen to is Aviation, the occasional user still on Phase I and CB radio communications.
Differences between Phases
While Phase I provided flexibility and a lot of talkgroups for a great number of users, the PSN would run out of space so to speak. To keep things simple, Phase II is a natural evolution of the P25 network. It allows users to use a more advanced vocoder - AMBE2+ allowing audio to pass through a more compressed bit stream. Additionally to allow for more capacity, Phase II allows two voice channels to pass through within 12.5kHz radio frequency bandwidth. Phase II is also backwards compatible allowing the system to be rolled back should the need arise.
Talk Group IDs & Information
When in operation and used by agencies, talkgroups allow the logical grouping of radio users to ensure they can communicate with each other. Inside a talkgroup sharing takes place to allow all radio users of a specific talkgroup to speak to one another and to the operator if applicable.
If a user in for example the SES broadcasts a message in one of their assigned talk groups, all other users on that talk group are able to hear that message. Think of it like a WhatsApp group. In scanning context this is important as we must know who the talkgroups belong to, label each talk group and categorize it to understand who is being listened to.
Encryption [ENC] Explained
The NSW Police force went ENC (encrypted) in the mid 2010s. This stops unwanted listeners to monitor those talkgroups, the unintended side effect is that the lack of oversight may breed corruption, coverups and secrecy. Everyone agrees that some channels are not meant for public ears such as special operations groups, drug enforcement, etc. However for most others it is merely a nuisance. Encryption works by using cryptographic algorithms, a topic which is complex but in simple terms, there are several different types of encryption methods such as end to end, Asymmetric Encryption and Symmetric Encryption.
Keys to decode the encrypted voice channels are changed frequently and nearly impossible to break. Most importantly it is also HIGHLY illegal and any successful person with for example a stolen radio would get caught within hours as your location would be broadcast to everyone on that encrypted talkgroup. I am not a lawyer but expect to spend many years in jail. Please do NOT email us asking how to decrypt transmissions. Those emails are marked as spam.
Control Channels & their significance
The control channel is like the backbone of the entire system. Firstly there are voice channels. Those - as the name suggests carry the communications between users. However the control channels carry a lot of digital packets with critical information, they are used for resource allocation, setting up calls between units (when PTT is in use), channel assignment and system management ( load balancing for example). If you fail to program the correct control channels, you will get nothing but garbled tones - that is the data mentioned above.
Radio IDs on the PSN
Radio IDs (RIDs) on the NSW Public Safety Network (PSN) are unique identifiers assigned to individual radios or devices operating on the network. They help track, manage, and distinguish each radio during communications. A Radio ID (RID) is a numerical identifier assigned to each radio handset, mobile unit, or console connected to the PSN.
These IDs are transmitted during voice or data activity and are visible to dispatch consoles and scanner software. RIDs are typically 5 to 7 digits long. For example, a SES NSW unit use ID range 204#### - 206####, while NSW Police radios use 021#### - 219#### range.
Public Safety Network Coverage & Information
The NSW Public Safety Network (PSN) currently covers over 540,000 km²—about 67% of New South Wales—with expansion underway to reach 85% land coverage.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- Current Reach: Covers 540,000 km², including metro, regional, and remote areas
- Target Availability: 99.95% uptime for emergency services
- Expansion Goal: Increase to 85% land coverage across NSW
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Now Available: RDIO Public Safety Network Access
RDIO is the replacement of the Broadcastify stream which has been discontinued at this time.
Main Display
Channel Selection Menu
RDIO features:
-
-
- Access to live stream broken up into individual calls
- Replaying of past emergency calls
- Selection of a service of your choice (For example if you only want to listen to SES you can switch everything else off)
- Skipping of calls
- Replay of past calls from main display
-
Anyone can access this service.
Click here to access RDIO on your browser, if you want to use the app available on Android or iOS you will need the web address which is "http://rdio.psnlive.online" - Enter this in the app and use the pin below.
PIN: 16112025
Note: The application on the iOS and Android play store are not written by me and I have no affiliation with the developers of this software. While the software is free, some feature will only work with the premium version which isn`t free. Any issues or questions that are not directly related to my broadcast should be directed to the developers.
For any questions, suggestions or comments please join the Discord community and contact me there.
Public Safety Network Live Broadcast on YouTube
I started to broadcast to residents of NSW in 2006 but opened the YouTube channel channel (Public Safety Network NSW) in 2022. If you appreciate what I do, please subscribe. It would help me a lot.
Screenshot of current live stream layout
Links to Support this Channel
There are different ways to help me fund this channel (this website, YouTube Channel and all the privately run streams). Please take the time to look at the links below:
Partner Channels of interest
Those sites are trusted and run by good people. There are plenty of resources available that are not commonly found. I recommend joining these channels if you have an ongoing interest in emergency services, incidents and want to be part of great communities.
