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 1970’s.

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 in general.

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 2021, the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response will be activated from Saturday 20 – Friday 26 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...

    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 able to work in a team environment.

2021 volunteer registration is now open

If you are interested in volunteering with us during the 2021 Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response (Saturday 20 – Friday 26 November, 2021), please complete our registration form and a member of our team will be in touch with you soon.

Register to volunteer in 2021

Frequently asked questions

    What do I need to be a Safer Schoolies Volunteer?

    You must be 19+yrs, 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 available between the following hours:

    • Saturday 20 November, 9am–2am
    • Sunday 21 to Friday 26 November, 6pm–2am.

    How do I sign up?

    If you are interested in volunteering with us during the 2021 Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response, please complete our registration form.

    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?

    Yes! Even if you can only do one shift. We would love for you to come and experience the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response. Once you have signed up we will release the shift days/times and you can pick the one that best suits your availability. You get to nominate your availability when you register.

    What roles do Safer Schoolies Volunteers undertake?

    We have three key roles available:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. Headquarters assistance – 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 Headquarters. 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 there is and it is compulsory for all volunteers to attend one session.

    Locations and dates will be finalised closer to the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response.

    Does it take long to sign up?

    The application itself will take approximately five 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 Safer Schoolies Volunteer offers the chance to gain valuable experience – it will also look great on your resume.