Whilst Schoolies is often referred to as a festival or event, it is essentially a holiday period when Year 12 school leavers, who are predominantly under the age of 18, book end-of-school holidays in popular tourist destinations. The Gold Coast has been a chosen destination for many Queensland high school graduates since the 1970s.

The Queensland Government doesn't promote or encourage young people to book Schoolies holidays however, it is committed to ensuring that the holiday period is as safe as possible for school leavers, local residents, businesses and the community in general.

This is achieved through the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response which provides support to school leavers and the local community, and aims to balance the needs of both by encouraging young people to engage in safe and responsible behaviour.

In 2023, the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response will be activated from Saturday 18 – Friday 24 November.

  • What is the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response? 02:46

    The Gold Coast has been the chosen destination for many Queensland high school graduates since the 1970s. The Queensland Government’s Safer Schoolies team operates a safety response for the first week of Schoolies each year,…

    The Gold Coast has been the chosen destination for many Queensland high school graduates since the 1970s.
    The Queensland Government’s Safer Schoolies team operates a safety response for the first week of Schoolies each year, focused on enhancing the safety of young people and decreasing risk taking behaviour.

    The Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response is free for legitimate Year 12 school leavers.
    It includes wristbanding for legitimate Year 12 school leavers, providing nightly access to the drug and alcohol-free Schoolies Hub, where they can celebrate safely in the company of their peers.

    In addition, the Response week features on the ground support provided by numerous government agencies and services, community and volunteer organisations.

    For more information, visit www.saferschoolies.qld.gov.au or follow us on Facebook or Instagram - @SchooliesGC.

Gold Coast local residents

Information for residents in Surfers Paradise is provided through a community newsletter in the lead up to the Schoolies holiday period and contains important information about the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response including information on road closures, diversionary activities, support services and safety initiatives.

If you are a local Gold Coast resident and have an interest in the Schoolies period, you may like to consider volunteering. More than 1,000 volunteers participate each year to support school leavers and the community, through a range of volunteer programs.

Gold Coast businesses

Businesses operating in Schoolies destinations are encouraged to promote positive, responsible and healthy behaviour when promoting their goods and services to school leavers.

During Schoolies, it is highly likely that the young people looking to purchase your goods and/or services will be under the age of 18.

Businesses are encouraged to act in a socially responsible manner and ensure that school leavers understand their rights and responsibilities, particular when hiring equipment.

Business may also like to consider offering discounts or special deals for schoolies.

Important contacts during Schoolies

For operational updates during the Response, please follow us on Facebook:

Get in touch

If you have any questions or require any further information, please don't hesitate to contact us:

In case of emergency

In case of an emergency, don't risk it. Always call Triple Zero (000).