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Information for and about media at Schoolies.
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Everything you need to know about volunteering at Schoolies .
Volunteer registrations will open mid-2023
More information on volunteering for the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response will be available in mid-2023.
Frequently asked questions
Whilst Schoolies is often referred to as a festival or event, it is essentially a holiday period where 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, rather it is committed to ensuring that the holiday period is as safe as possible for school leavers, local residents, businesses and the community.
This is achieved through the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response which provides support to schoolies and local communities, 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 to Friday 24 November.
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.
Being a Safer Schoolies volunteer
Each year, hundreds of dedicated and caring volunteers give up their time to help make Schoolies as safe as possible. Safer Schoolies volunteers work closely with a number of community organisations as well as local and state government agencies to deliver vital safety and support services to school leavers celebrating on the Gold Coast.
Safer Schoolies volunteers patrol in groups of four and provide a first point of contact for schoolies and the local community in need.
They fulfil a range of roles including supporting and assisting emergency service personnel and being a friendly face that schoolies can trust with the right advice or support when needed.
Volunteers often find the experience enormously rewarding and a great opportunity to make new friends.
To volunteer at Schoolies you must:
- be aged 19 and over
- undergo training
- hold a current Blue Card issued by Blue Card Services. If you do not have a Blue Card, we can provide you with all the information you need to apply for one
- be vaccinated against COVID-19
- be able to work in a team environment.
Hear from some of our Safer Schoolies Support Team volunteers. What it means to them, why they volunteer year after year, and some of the roles they undertake during the Schoolies holiday period. Each year,…
Hear from some of our Safer Schoolies Support Team volunteers.
What it means to them, why they volunteer year after year, and some of the roles they undertake during the Schoolies holiday period.
Each year, hundreds of dedicated and caring volunteers give up their time to help make Schoolies as safe as possible. Safer Schoolies volunteers work closely with a number of community organisations as well as local and state government agencies to deliver vital safety and support services to school leavers celebrating on the Gold Coast.
Safer Schoolies volunteers patrol in groups of four and provide the first point of contact for schoolies and the local community in need.
They fulfill a range of roles including supporting and assisting emergency service personnel and being a friendly face that schoolies can trust with the right advice or support when needed.
Volunteers often find the experience enormously rewarding and a great opportunity to make new friends.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering during Schoolies on the Gold Coast, visit our website: https://www.saferschoolies.qld.gov.au/information/volunteers
Do I need to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19?
Yes, all volunteers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 unless you have eligible proof of a vaccination exemption. For the purposes of complying with current public health orders, you are considered fully vaccinated if you have had two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
What do I need to be a Safer Schoolies Volunteer?
You must be 19+years, undergo training, hold a current Blue Card (or we can assist you in applying for one) and be able to work in a team environment.
What days and times do you need volunteers?
Shifts are flexible – from one day to the entire week. Times for the 2023 Response will be released in mid-2023.
How do I sign up?
Registrations for the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response will be available in mid-2023.
How much does a Blue Card cost?
There is no cost involved for the Blue Cards as you will be volunteering.
I already have a Blue Card, do I need to do anything?
We will need you to fill out a Blue Card Linking form to link you to our organisation.
I work and have Uni during the week, when could I volunteer?
Shift times are flexible and you get to nominate your availability when you register through Better Impact. When scheduling shifts, we are happy to accommodate your preferences.
I can only volunteer one day, can I still sign up?
Shift times are flexible and you get to nominate your availability when you register through Better Impact. When scheduling shifts, we are happy to accommodate your preferences.
You get to nominate your availability when you register.
What roles do Safer Schoolies Volunteers undertake?
We have three key roles available:
- Wristband Assistant – in this role, you would be located at our Wristband Centre and will have the role of placing wristbands onto school leaver’s wrists, recording statistics and entering data via an iPad, assisting with queue monitoring, as well as providing information and assistance to school leavers preparing to collect their wristband.
- Roving Street/Beach Patrols – in this role you would be walking the Response Zone in groups providing information, advice and directions to school leavers and general Surfers Paradise visitors, walking schoolies back to their accommodation, identifying schoolies in need of assistance and referring them to the appropriate support service.
- Volunteer Space Assistant – for people that are not interested or unable to be a roving volunteer but would still like to volunteer their time, we require assistance in the running of our Volunteer Space. Roles would consist of general light duties including administration, food preparation and other responsibilities as designated.
How long is a shift?
Shifts are usually 5 to 6 hours in length but we can always work to accommodate you.
Is there any training?
Yes, and it is compulsory for all volunteers to attend one session.
Does it take long to sign up?
The application itself will take approximately 10 minutes. The Blue Card checks may take up to six weeks so we encourage you to get the process started sooner rather than later.
Can I get a certificate for the volunteer hours I complete, so it can count towards my required hours for Uni/TAFE/college?
Yes – each volunteer receives a certificate and if required, we can provide further certification of the hours volunteered.
My friend and I are both signing up to volunteer. Can we be rostered onto the same SST team together? And how do we note this when registering?
Absolutely! We organise the teams on the night so as long as you are both working the same shift, then you can work in the same team.
There is also a question in the registration form that allows you to nominate the person/s that you wish to work with.
What will volunteers get out of the experience?
Giving back to the community. A sense of pride.
Helping keep school leavers, and the broader community, safe.
The opportunity to forge new friendships.
For students: those who are studying criminology, law, nursing, medicine or paramedicine, volunteering as a School Leaver Support Team member offers the chance to gain valuable experience – it will also look great on your resume.
School leavers
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