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Schoolies questions & answers

What is a schoolie?

A schoolie is a graduating Year 12 or TAFE equivalent student from an Australian education institution.



What are the dates for Schoolies 2008 in Queensland?

While commercial booking agencies promote Schoolies from late November to early December, the Queensland Government’s Safer Schoolies activities take place in four Queensland locations between Saturday 22 and Sunday 30 November.

Specifically:



How do I access free Safer Schoolies activities?

There is no online registration for Schoolies in Queensland this year; however each Safer Schoolies location has its own access requirements.

Safer Schoolies activities are for Year 12 graduated or TAFE equivalent only. Access will be granted on proof of a valid Year 12 student photo ID. If a student photo ID is not available, alternative forms of ID may be considered, including a current passport, driver’s licence or 18+ Card. Remember: no ID – no access.

Airlie Beach

Schoolies visiting Airlie Beach are required to register to access the free activities on offer. Registration costs $25 and will occur in a clearly marked registration tent, where schoolies will receive a special Schoolies ID card on presentation of suitable photo ID.

Gold Coast

Schoolies wishing to access the free Schoolies Hub on central Surfers Paradise Beach will need to have an official wristband, which will be distributed on proof of Year 12 student photo ID.

Gold Coast schoolies who have booked accommodation through schoolies.com must collect their official wristband during check-in at their hotel from a Red Frog volunteer.

Schoolies staying at alternative accommodation, with family or friends, or visiting for the day can collect an official wristband from the Wristband Distribution Centre located on the Esplanade parallel to central Surfers Paradise Beach.

Keep your wristband on for the duration of your stay on the Gold Coast, removing it or sharing it will make it invalid.

Magnetic Island

Schoolies visiting Magnetic Island are required to register to access free Schoolies activities. Registration costs $20 and will occur in a clearly marked registration tent, where schoolies will receive a wristband and event guide on presentation of suitable photo ID.

Yeppoon

Schoolies visiting Yeppoon are required to register to access free Schoolies activities. Registration will open at 11am Sunday 23 November and will take place each day in various locations and times until the last day.

Schoolies will be required to present their Year 12 photo ID, complete a registration card and have their photo taken to receive a specially designed Schoolies ID card attached to a lanyard, which they will need to access official Schoolies activities.

Sunshine Coast

There is no registration required for the Sunshine Coast this year. Red Frogs will be present on the Sunshine Coast through their Hotel Chaplaincy Program, as will the Queensland Police Service who will maintain its presence to enhance the safety of schoolies and the local community.



What do I do if I have no photographic ID?

You will need to provide a certified photograph and birth certificate witnessed and signed by a Justice of the Peace.



What activities will be offered at Schoolies this year?

The Queensland Government, in partnership with local councils, volunteering and community organisations, is committed to creating a safer environment for young people attending Schoolies.

Airlie Beach

A range of free entertainment options and safety responses will be in place at Airlie Beach during the seven days, including nightly Red Frogs DJ parties staged at Schoolies Central — a one-stop-shop for schoolies in central Airlie Beach.

Numerous other free amusement activities are also planned at Schoolies Central with more information to be posted on the Whitsunday Regional Council’s Schoolies website in coming weeks.

Gold Coast

Over nine nights, an entertainment program will be staged within a fenced area, known as the Schoolies Hub, at central Surfers Paradise Beach. The hub will be open most nights from 7.30pm to 1.30am and include free DJ entertainment from two beach stages.

Schoolies will also be able to access free transport with the RACQ free2go bus service which will operate between 8.30pm and 3am each night, providing safe transportation every 20 minutes between the major hotels along the Gold Coast.

Magnetic Island

A variety of entertainment and safety responses will be offered on Magnetic Island over six days, including ‘pancake pig-outs’, beach activities, movie nights, and dance parties.

Most evening activities will take place in the Recharge Zone at Alma Bay which will be supervised by police, Red Frogs volunteers, and medical services. The Recharge Zone will provide a safe place for schoolies to go to seek advice or information, or a place to relax with other schoolies.

Yeppoon

Schoolies entertainment and safety responses will be provided at Yeppoon over five days, including dance parties and movie nights. Schoolies will also be offered free breakfast and barbecues, free transportation, and other night time entertainment including the Schoolies Nightclub.



How do I book accommodation for Schoolies?

Shop around and compare prices of different accommodation providers, Check to see what the terms and conditions are and if a bond is required, as not every provider charges it.

Don’t be misled into thinking there is only one way to book accommodation or one booking agency. Contact other travel agents and accommodation providers directly to explore alternative options.

The Queensland Government’s Schoolies website provides information to schoolies, volunteers, parents and the general public on aspects of safety, and rights and responsibilities. It does not provide information on hotels or alternative accommodation.

Schoolies who have booked accommodation through schoolies.com will receive a building pass upon check-in. This pass will not give you access to official Safer Schoolies activities, including the Schoolies Hub on the Gold Coast — the pass is an extra security measure issued by your accommodation provider.



What are my accommodation rights?

For more information on accommodation rights check out Get out there! A survival guide for young adults, available from the Office of Fair Trading website or phone 13 13 04.



What if I have accommodation problems?

If you have a dispute with the accommodation manager or booking agent, follow these steps:

Step 1
First check your responsibilities under the booking terms and conditions, house rules and/or accommodation agreement.
Step 2
Try and work with the accommodation manager or booking agency to reach an agreement. Accommodation managers must have a complaint handling process in place, and you should immediately lodge a complaint in writing if you feel you have been treated unfairly.
Step 3
Call the Office of Fair Trading for advice on 13 13 04. You may lodge a formal written complaint online.
Step 4
If an agreement cannot be reached, contact the Department of Justice and Attorney-General's Alternative Dispute Resolution Branch on 1800 017 288.


What if my accommodation provider kicks me out?

Try to stay calm. Ask your accommodation manager if you can stay while you make alternative arrangements.

You can call the Office of Fair Trading for advice on 13 13 04, or accommodation enquiries outside business hours can be directed to Red Frogs Australia on 1300 557 123.



Is it OK for me to take alcohol into my hotel room?

If you are staying in a licensed hotel or motel it is an offence for underage people to be in possession of liquor. There is a maximum fine of $1,875. If there is no liquor licence for the accommodation units, the possession of alcohol is a matter for the owner or manager so if you want to take alcohol into your room you should check with the house rules or ask the accommodation provider before you bring your alcohol.

Remember, police can use their new powers to confiscate and dispose of alcohol if underage guests are found consuming alcohol in your apartment.



Is it okay if my friends buy me alcohol?

Liquor cannot be provided to under 18s in or around licensed premises or in public places. If friends purchase alcohol for you they may be liable for an on-the-spot fine of $600 or prosecution and a fine of up to $3,000. You too could face an on-the-spot fine of $225 or prosecution and a maximum fine of $1,875.



Is it okay if my parents supply me alcohol?

Only in private places and if they are responsibly supervising you while you drink the alcohol. Under new laws it is now illegal for parents to provide alcohol to an underage child without providing responsible supervision.



Does anyone have the authority to search my bags?

The law in relation to bag searches is as follows:

The same applies to room inspections. Inspections can occur if they are stated in your house rules and you have signed consent to the house rules. This may be a condition some providers insist on.



Should I bring my school ID?

Absolutely. Schoolies is for graduating Year 12 students or equivalent only. If you want to access any of the drug and alcohol-free Safer Schoolies activities you will need to show proof of student ID such as a school ID card.

Your student ID might also give you special discounts in some shops.

If you don’t have your student ID, another form of photo ID such as your driver’s licence, passport or 18+ Card can be used to prove your identity and your age.

If you don’t have any photographic ID and you wish to access the Safer Schoolies activities throughout Queensland, you will need to provide a certified photograph and birth certificate witnessed and signed by a Justice of the Peace.



What do I do in an emergency?

If you need urgent help from the police, ambulance or fire brigade, call 000 immediately. Ambulance officers will not notify police unless they are prevented from performing their duties or a crime is being committed. If you need both an ambulance and the police, make sure you tell the operator this before you hang up.

If someone collapses or overdoses, call an ambulance immediately on 000 and listen carefully to the operator’s instructions.



What should my parents know before I leave for Schoolies?

Make sure your parents or guardian know where you are staying; how you are getting there and home; and importantly who you are staying with.

Leave a list of contact numbers for your accommodation, your friends and their parents, so anyone can reach you quickly in an emergency.

Talk to your parents about your plans during Schoolies; establish a 'check-in with home' arrangement where you agree to phone or text on a regular basis so everyone knows your safe; and tell your family when you are coming home and how.



If I am going to Schoolies outside the dates of the official program will there be activities and support services?

Organised activities for Schoolies will only run during the official program dates. However, in Surfers Paradise extra police officers will be patrolling the area both during and after the Gold Coast Schoolies Community Safety Response to maximise public safety.



Last updated: 27 October 2008