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.
DrinkWise, the Australian Government, Smartraveller and Red Frogs encourage Schoolies safety conversations
Students, parents and community members attended a community information evening at Mentone Girls’ Grammar, hosted by DrinkWise, the Australian Government’s Smartraveller and Red Frogs to launch the 2026 new Schoolies campaign. The event provided practical advice for school-leavers and their parents on making safe choices, understanding the risks associated with alcohol and overseas travel, looking after friends and knowing what to do when things go wrong.
The evening featured remarks from Mark and Michelle Jones, whose daughter Bianca attended the school, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Senator Penny Wong, DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan, Mentone Girls’ Grammar Principal Ms Lauren Perfect and representatives from Red Frogs, followed by a panel discussion facilitated by medical expert Dr Andrew Rochford.
The event reinforced the importance of preparing for Schoolies before leaving home and ensuring young people feel confident to make informed decisions, look out for one another and ask for help when they need it.
Supported by Mark and Michelle Jones
Mark and Michelle Jones shared their story with students and parents to help raise awareness of the risks young Australians can face when travelling overseas and to encourage families to have conversations that could help keep their children safe.
The Jones family is supporting DrinkWise and its partners to ensure school-leavers understand the importance of being vigilant, making informed choices about alcohol, looking after their friends and seeking help if something goes wrong.
Mark Jones said the family hoped sharing their experience would encourage more parents to speak openly with their children before they travel.
“When we lost Bianca, one of the first things we thought about was making sure other families have the conversations that matter most before their own children leave. Being in the school hall where Bianca once sat, and talking directly to school-leavers, was one of the hardest things we’ve done, but if it means even one family has this conversation, it’s worth it.
“Along with DrinkWise and the Government, that’s the message – the five minutes at your kitchen table could be the thing that brings your child home. You don’t need the perfect words, you just need to have the conversation and let them know to always contact you if they need help,” Mr Jones said.
In partnership with Government
The campaign messaging for school-leavers and their parents is supported by the Australian Government and Smartraveller.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator the Hon Penny Wong said the deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles highlighted the importance of being aware of potential risks when travelling overseas.
“The tragic deaths of Bianca Jones and Holly Morton-Bowles are a reminder of the risks young Australians can face travelling overseas and the importance of being informed and prepared.
“A Schoolies trip starts before you leave home. Talk openly about travel risks, stay connected and look out for one another. These simple steps can help young Australians prepare for a safer and more enjoyable time overseas,” Senator Wong said.
Helping parents have the conversation
DrinkWise research shows that while 90 per cent of parents consider it a priority for their child to understand the risks associated with alcohol, fewer than half are having specific conversations about drinking before Schoolies.
DrinkWise Chief Executive Officer Simon Strahan said the research reinforced the importance of giving parents and school-leavers practical advice and resources ahead of Schoolies.
“DrinkWise research shows parents overwhelmingly want their children to understand the risks associated with alcohol, but we know there is more we can do to help families have these important conversations.
“The end of schooling is a significant milestone and one that should be celebrated. We want school-leavers to enjoy this time, make great memories and return home safely. That’s why it’s important that parents talk to their children about making safe choices, understanding the risks associated with alcohol and looking after themselves and their friends.
“Schools also play an important role in helping young people prepare for Schoolies. By sharing these resources with students and parents, schools can help families feel more confident having these conversations before their children leave,” Mr Strahan said.
Mentone Girls’ Grammar Principal Ms Lauren Perfect said welcoming Mark and Michelle Jones back to the school was a meaningful opportunity for the community to discuss Schoolies safety.
“As a school, we want to see our students thrive during school and after they graduate. Helping them understand the risks and prepare for the experiences ahead is an important part of that.
“Having Mark and Michelle return to the school where Bianca once sat in our classrooms meant so much to our students and families. Showing the video to our Year 12 students and sharing it with parents will help families sit down and have these important conversations together,” Ms Perfect said.
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