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.
As part of the campaign 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 have been shared. 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.
Video for parents: Conversations to have with your teens about Schoolies before they go.
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.
Official launch of campaign
Officially launched on Tuesday 18 November at the Melbourne International Airport by the Australian Government Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Education Jason Clare, DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan and the families of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, the national Schoolies and Drinking? Drink Mindfully campaigns provides practical guidance for school-leavers and their parents, offering advice on moderating alcohol consumption, looking after friends, the risks of methanol poisoning, as well as what to do if things go wrong.
DrinkWise Chief Executive Officer Simon Strahan said “DrinkWise research shows school-leavers are making safer choices at Schoolies, but timely reminders remain critical. This is why we have joined the Australian Government and the Jones and Bowles families to develop advice and tips to help keep school-leavers safe, and empower parents to have the pre-Schoolies conversations with their children. We are incredibly grateful to the Jones and Bowles families for bravely sharing their story. Their courage continues to help raise awareness of the very real risks young Australians can face overseas and their voice makes this campaign very real for all Australian parents.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong with Michelle Jones, Samantha Morton
and DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan at the official launch of the campaign.
Supported by the families of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles
Michelle and Mark Jones and Samantha Morton and Shaun Bowles are lending their voices to this important campaign. Their daughters, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, died from methanol poisoning while traveling overseas last November. They are encouraging school-leavers to stay alert, make safe choices and look out for one another and are urging parents to have conversations with their teenagers – conversations that could save their lives.
Bianca and Holly were overseas when they were served drinks containing methanol. They couldn’t be saved. What happened was beyond their control but shouldn’t have happened. We urge parents to talk to their children before Schoolies, reminding them to be vigilant, to ask questions, to not assume what they’re drinking is safe and to look after their friends. Nothing will ever bring back Bianca and Holly but if knowing what happened to them can help other kids make safe choices then something can come from our loss.
Michelle Jones and Samantha Morton.
In partnership with Government
The messaging for school-leavers and their parents is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Education and Smartraveller.
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Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said: “We know what happened to Bianca and Holly should never have happened. And it is their memory and their legacy that brings us together to do all that we can to protect other young Australians to keep them safe from the insidious killer that is methanol poisoning. We’ve joined DrinkWise on a new safety push to help school leavers make information decisions about alcohol and to help them celebrate with confidence. We want all Australians to understand the risk of methanol poisoning, and we want them to know what to do when things go wrong. We remember Bianca and Holly, this week and every week. And we remind young people to stay vigilant. Be adventurous but stay vigilant. Watch your mates, watch your drinks and please travel safely.” |
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Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP said: “Schoolies is a time to celebrate the end of school and the hard work it took to get here. You’ve earned it but you’ve also got to look out for yourself and your mates. That’s what this campaign is about. Having fun and staying safe. We know the sense of freedom at the end of school can sometimes lead to risky choices, especially when alcohol is involved. My Department has shared these resources with our State and Territory counterparts I encourage schools, students and parents to take a look at them. We want the end of school to be remembered for the right reasons.” |
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Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP said: “We know Schoolies is an exciting time for young Australians, but things can go wrong if you’re not prepared. This partnership with DrinkWise demonstrates the Government’s continued work to help protect young Australians travelling overseas and throughout Australia.” |
Tips to help you talk to your Schoolie
We know for many Schoolies this is their first time away without their parents and that can be a little daunting. While it’s understandably a chance to celebrate the end of their schooling, we want to ensure everyone stays safe and makes good choices, especially if consuming alcohol. If your teenager is 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 your teen is heading overseas on their Schoolies adventure, there are a few extra tips to know before they 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 and the Federal Department of Education for distribution through schools. Both videos will also be shared via targeted social media placements.
For Schoolies travelling internationally: DrinkWise and Smartraveller are also rolling out the Drinking? Drink mindfully campaign which includes:
- targeted social media in and around international airports to provide timely advice to school-leavers before they depart.
- destination targeted social media messaging in popular overseas Schoolies destinations to ensure there is ongoing reminders about the importance of moderation if choosing to drink alcohol and staying safe.
- activations at international airport terminals in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to remind school-leavers to make smart choices while celebrating overseas, so everyone can come home safely.
For those Schoolies staying here in Australia to celebrate: DrinkWise will also be targeting Drinking? Drink mindfully reminders to Schoolies celebrating in Australia including:
- targeted social media messaging before and during Schoolies celebrations.
- music streaming reminder placements to reach school-leavers prior to and during Schoolies celebrations.
- point of purchase reminders in almost 800 retail stores in Schoolies hotspots across Australia – supported by Endeavour Group, Coles Liquor, Retail Drinks Australia and MGA Independent Businesses Australia Liquor retailers, to deliver practical advice where purchasing decisions are made.
Examples of socials
Examples of posters
Video
Audio