The Australian Government, in partnership with DrinkWise, is today launching the next phase of its alcohol awareness campaign as part of efforts to help protect young Australians travelling overseas.
The youth-focused 'Drinking? Drink Mindfully' safety message aims to equip school leavers with the tools to travel safely, make informed decisions about alcohol, and celebrate with confidence.
School-leavers attending Schoolies overseas in 2023-2024 were most concerned about risks like scams, drink or needle spiking and getting sick. Only 18% of those attending Schoolies overseas said they were concerned about methanol poisoning, a very real and dangerous risk.
As part of this campaign, parents are being encouraged to talk with their teens before Schoolies. Research shows that while 94% of parents said it was a priority for them that their child understood alcohol risks, only 69% said they discussed it with their child as part of their planning for Schoolies. Just 51% of parents talked about ways to keep in touch during the trip. These conversations can help parents feel more at ease about their child's safety during Schoolies.
Resources are being rolled out online and at airports. They're also available to schools, providing students and their parents with practical advice on topics such as moderating alcohol consumption, looking after friends, the risks of methanol poisoning and knowing what to do if things go wrong.
As part of this partnership, Australian parents and students can expect to see:
- video content for both school-leavers and parents to support conversations around partying, drinking and celebrating safely overseas – featuring messages from the families and friends of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, who tragically died overseas last year from methanol poisoning, and medical expert Dr Andrew Rochford
- digital advertising targeting school-leavers nationally, including at all international airports across Australia, via multiple social media platforms.
This will also be supported by broader Smartraveller activities including:
- release of new Schoolies' cheat sheets' tailored to popular destinations for school-leavers on the Smartraveller Partying Safely Hub
- in-flight videos on board Jetstar international flights from December, delivering key safety messages as school leavers head overseas
- youth media engagement and partnerships with other non-government organisations such as Schoolies.com and Unleashed travel.
On Saturday 29 November, a key travel day for Schoolies, DrinkWise and Smartraveller teams will be at international airport terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, and
Brisbane to remind school-leavers to make smart choices while celebrating overseas, so everyone can come home safely.
We want young people to enjoy their experience but to stay vigilant. Watch your mates and watch your drinks. And please travel safe over summer.
Visit Smartraveller.gov.au to check travel advice, explore the Partying Safely Hub, and access resources.