Frequently Asked Questions
- What dates are Schoolies Week activities held in Queensland?
- What is the state government doing to help make Schoolies Week safer?
- What activities and support services are provided for Schoolies?
- Where can I get information on the events program?
- Why hasn't Schoolies Week been banned?
- What are the laws on underage drinking and public consumption of alcohol?
- What do I do if I suspect underage drinking or drug use?
- Does anyone have the authority to search bags?
- What road closures and other disruptions can I expect in Surfers Paradise?
What dates are Schoolies Week activities held in Queensland?
Schoolies week activities are held in a number of regions throughout Queensland between 16-25 November. This year regions receiving state government funding for safe Schoolies celebrations are:
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Rockhampton/Yepoon
- Airlie Beach
- Magnetic Island
Please note: Schoolies week activities do not take place in Brisbane. If you are planning to visit Brisbane during November you will not be affected by this event.
What is the state government doing to help make Schoolies Week safer?
A range of measures is in place to make Schoolies Week safer, including:
- a highly visible police presence throughout Schoolies Week precincts
- increased Liquor Licensing presence to monitor underage offences and trading practices
- improved coordination of local councils, volunteers and community-based organisations
- a campaign aimed at reinforcing liquor licensee awareness of their responsibility to sell alcohol to people aged 18 and over only
- an education and awareness program for young people and parents
- the organisation of activities for Schoolies
- a complaint-handling mechanism to deal with accommodation and consumer issues.
What activities and support services are provided for Schoolies?
The State Government is providing funding and support to a number of regions throughout Queensland to provide activities and a safer environment for young people celebrating Schoolies Week.
The diversionary activities include daytime programs on the beach, such as beach sports and barbeques. Night programs include bands, DJs and movie marathons.
These activities are designed to keep young people occupied in fun ways that don't include drinking alcohol.
Where can I get information on the events program?
In most areas, schoolies will receive confirmation of when and where to retrieve their event program once they register as an official schoolie.
Why hasn't Schoolies Week been banned?
Schoolies Week is the phenomenon of young people choosing to book their end of year celebrations in a particular area — traditionally Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast but in recent years at other locations throughout Queensland. It is not possible for anyone to make this illegal. Therefore, the Queensland Government and local councils have decided to address the needs of the local community by providing activities for young people to help keep them occupied in a location away from the general population. The aim is to provide them with fun activities that do not involve consuming alcohol.
With some tolerance from the local community, the event can be a positive and enjoyable experience where young people celebrate with their friends, meet new people and enjoy the transition from school to new futures.
What are the laws on underage drinking and public consumption of alcohol?
For information on the laws for underage drinking and public consumption visit the "Think before you drink" section of this website.
What do I do if I suspect underage drinking or drug use?
If you suspect illegal activity contact the local Police on the following numbers:
- Gold Coast
- (07) 5570 7888
- Rockhampton
- (07) 4932 1500
- Sunshine Coast
- (07) 5475 2444
- Magnetic Island
- (07) 4760 7871
- Mackay
- (07) 4968 3444
It is an offence for underage people to be in possession of liquor and for anyone to be in possession of liquor when staying in a licensed hotel or motel.
There is a maximum fine of $1,875. If there is no liquor license for the accommodation units it is a matter for the owner or manager. It is not against the law to consume alcohol in a private place.
Does anyone have the authority to search bags?
- If you are planning on taking anything bigger than a handbag onto the beach in Surfers Paradise, you might be asked by security or police to show the contents of your bag before you go through. They will ask your consent first.
- A trader (including an apartment complex) can make it a term of entry into the store, or staying at the apartment, that the trader has a right to conduct bag searches.
- Upon seeking to exercise that contractual right, the trader must ask for the consent of the young person to search the bag.
- If the consent is given, the trader can search the bag.
- If the young person/consumer does not agree to a bag search, the trader cannot search the bag. If the trader does so where consent is not given, the trader will be committing an offence, as well as infringing civil rights in tort.
- If consent is not given, the trader can exercise any rights in contract that they may have. This might include eviction from the shop/apartment, but only if the terms of the contract provide for this.
What road closures and other disruptions can I expect in Surfers Paradise?
As with other major events in Surfers Paradise, police will close off some streets in the immediate Surfers Paradise area during peak crowd times. This is standard crowd management procedure designed to maximise public safety.
However, in Surfers Paradise extra police officers will be patrolling the area both during and after Gold Coast Schoolies Week to maximise public safety.
Last updated: 13 March 2008