Schoolies
As thousands of Australian school-leavers finish exams and start preparing for Schoolies celebrations, DrinkWise, in partnership with the Australian Government’s Smartraveller has launched a national campaign to help young people enjoy their Schoolies experience safely and mindfully.
Phase one of the campaign is the release of two educational videos – one for school-leavers and one for parents – featuring medical advice from Dr Andrew Rochford alongside powerful messages from the family and friends of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles who tragically died overseas after being served alcohol containing methanol. The videos offer practical, evidence-based advice and tips to educate Schoolies and to help parents to have important conversations with their teens before they go on their Schoolies adventure. The videos cover a range of topics including the importance of moderation, recognising risks, looking out for friends and knowing what to do if something goes wrong.
Video for parents: Conversations to have with your teens about Schoolies before they go.
Most parents want their child to understand the risks, but many don’t get to the chat. For practical advice and simple conversation starters, watch this video featuring medical expert Dr Andrew Rochford and Michelle Jones and Samantha Bowles – two Australian mothers whose teenage daughters – Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles – tragically died overseas after being served alcohol containing methanol. A short conversation with your teen before they go can make a real difference.
Video for teens: Things to know and do before you go on your schoolies adventure.
Schoolies is a chance to celebrate the end of school, but it’s important that the celebrations are positive ones that create great memories. Watch this video to help you have a great time – and a safe one.
We know for many Schoolies this is your first time away without your parents and that can be a little daunting. While it’s understandably a chance to celebrate the end of your schooling, we want to ensure everyone stays safe and makes good choices, especially if consuming alcohol. If heading off on a Schoolies adventure, DrinkWise recommends the following tips to have a fun and safe time:
Always have your phone on you – make sure it is charged!
Register as a school leaver with the Schoolies organisation in the area you’re visiting.
If you are drinking, make sure to have something to eat before and during a drinking occasion.
Pace any alcohol intake and hydrate with non-alcoholic drinks – water is your friend!
Try swapping a full-strength alcoholic drink for a zero or lower-strength drink.
Be extra cautious with drinks that have a high alcohol content.
Skip rounds and drinking games – stick to your own pace and limits.
It’s always okay to say no – to another drink or to a plan that doesn’t feel safe.
Beware of drink spiking – watch your drink being made and keep it in your sight at all times.
Say no to drinks from strangers.
If you suspect drink or needle spiking, tell a friend and get help straight away.
Stay with friends and keep an eye out for one another.
Plan your ride home before you head out and save your accommodation name and address in your phone.
Don’t drink drive or get into a car being driven by someone who’s been drinking.
If you ride e-scooters or e-bikes, wear a helmet, follow local rules and never ride after drinking.
Avoid risky situations, such as swimming after drinking or getting into arguments and fights.
Let your parents or family back home know where you’re staying and who you’re travelling with and keep in contact with them throughout the week, so that they know you are safe.
Put your ‘in case of emergency number’ (ICE) and Medical ID in your phone – you can also set an image of them as your lock screen.
Know local emergency numbers that you can call if there’s an emergency (e.g. in Australia call 000).
Call your parents or guardians at any time if you get into trouble or just need to talk.
Keep money aside for emergencies.
Set a meet-up point and time with your crew – no one goes solo and no one gets left behind.
Share each other’s phone numbers and emergency contacts in a group chat.
If you feel unusually unwell after drinking – especially blurred vision or vomiting – seek medical help immediately (don’t sleep it off).
If you are heading overseas on your Schoolies adventure, there are a few extra tips to know before you go:
Check Smartraveller for destination advice before you go and sign up for travel alerts.
Make sure your travel insurance covers your plans – remember, alcohol or drugs may void your cover.
Choose sealed, known-brand drinks and avoid unlabelled or ultra-cheap spirits/cocktails to avoid the risk of methanol poisoning.
If you’re overseas and need urgent help, contact local authorities first – then call Australian consular services.
Backed by research
As an evidence-based organisation, DrinkWise relies on key independent research and clinical advice to underpin our campaigns and programs. The domestic and international Schoolies and Drinking? Drink Mindfully campaigns were guided by experts in social marketing and research. In 2025, DrinkWise conducted the Alcohol at Schoolies Study with school-leavers who attended Schoolies destinations in 2023 and 2024. The Study found:
In 2025, for the first time, DrinkWise also conducted research with parents of previous Schoolies attendees to find out what concerns parents had about their children attending Schoolies celebrations. The Study found:
The campaign
To maximise reach, encourage conversations between parents and their teens and ensure school-leavers are equipped with tips before they go on their Schoolies adventures, the videos will be available on the DrinkWise and Smartraveller websites and shared with parents via SchoolTV for distribution through schools. Both videos will also be shared via targeted social media placements.
Additional Drinking? Drink Mindfully messaging will appear in retail stores, on social media and on Spotify to reach school-leavers prior to and while they are drinking, prior to and during Schoolies celebrations reminding them of the importance of:
- moderating their drinking
- pacing themselves
- looking after their friends.
Examples of posters/social
Video
Audio