Young Australians heading overseas for Schoolies are being urged to keep safety front of mind, with the Australian Government launching the next phase of its alcohol-awareness campaign in partnership with DrinkWise.
The initiative, Drinking? Drink Mindfully is rolling out across digital platforms, schools and airports nationwide. It aims to help school leavers make safer choices, especially in unfamiliar environments where local laws, alcohol standards and cultural norms can differ significantly from what they know at home.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the campaign is especially timely as the one-year mark approaches since the deaths of Australian teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, who died overseas last year due to methanol poisoning.
“We want every young Australian celebrating Schoolies, whether here at home or overseas, to have the tools to do so safely,” she said. Ms Wong added that looking after friends – and being alert to what’s in your drink – can make all the difference when travelling abroad.
Education Minister Jason Clare echoed the balance between celebration and caution. Schoolies, he said, is well-earned — but it shouldn’t be reckless.
“You’ve earned it, but you’ve also got to look out for yourself and your mates. That’s what this campaign is about. Having fun and staying safe,” he said.
He noted that alcohol-related risk often increases when combined with the sense of freedom that follows the end of exams.
Across major airports in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, travellers will begin seeing videos, digital ads and airport displays featuring messages from the families and friends of Jones and Bowles. The aim is not to instil fear, but to start conversations before problems begin. Resources – including tailored “cheat sheets” for popular destinations – are now available on the Smartraveller Partying Safely Hub.
Assistant Foreign Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said travel preparation is now just as important as the party itself. “Schoolies is an exciting time for young Australians, but things can go wrong if you’re not prepared,” he said, noting that the partnership with DrinkWise supports their continued efforts to protect young travellers.
DrinkWise Chief Executive Officer Simon Strahan said research shows school leavers have become more aware of risky behaviour in recent years – especially after travelling resumed post-pandemic. But reminders still matter.
“DrinkWise research shows school-leavers are making safer choices at Schoolies, but timely reminders remain critical,” he said.
According to DrinkWise, 77 per cent of young people now assign a “designated friend” when going out – a trend the organisation says is promising and worth reinforcing.
Practical advice is also being extended to parents, who can access conversation guides on alcohol, safety abroad and local laws. This year, the government has also partnered with Jetstar to show in-flight safety videos on international flights beginning in December.
For Filipino-Australian families – many of whom still travel to destinations across Southeast Asia where alcohol content and regulation can vary – simple precautions such as checking labels, avoiding open drinks, and saving the number of the nearest Australian embassy may help prevent a crisis.
The government is encouraging travellers to check Smartraveller.gov.au for country-specific advice, emergency contacts and safety tips before departure.
The overall message remains clear: celebrate the milestone – but return home safely.
