Sexual health at Schoolies

Schoolies is all about fun, freedom and celebrating the end of your studies with your mates. You’ve earned it!

You deserve to have a week where you feel safe, respected, and to have a good time.

The Gold Coast Public Health Unit has been part of the Schoolies scene for years and we love getting to spend the week chatting to young people from all over Queensland.

To help you prep for the good times ahead, we’ve put together a quick PSA with some of our top tips and reminders. Because we’re not a normal public health unit - we’re a cool public health unit!

So here are four of our hot tips:

1. Use a condom or dam

Condoms, johnny, rubber, frenchie, franger, dinger - whatever you call them. They are the most effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A fun fact: they are the only form of contraception which protects you from STIs and pregnancy. Contraception like the pill or intrauterine devices (IUDs) won’t protect you from an STI.

So, remember a new condom every time and for comfort and to avoid the condom tearing, don’t forget water-based lube!

2. Get an STI test

No, seriously babes.

If you’re sexually active (that includes oral sex!), you should be testing in-between sexual partners and about every three to six months.

You should have a STI test even if:

• you don’t have any symptoms
• you haven’t had sex in ages
• you only have oral sex
• you’re in a relationship

Remember, even if you’ve only had sex with one person, getting an STI test is important.

Where can I get tested?

You can always chat to your GP or check out your local sexual health service.

Each area of Queensland has its own sexual health service.

The Gold Coast, Sexual Health Service is located in Southport, which is super easy to travel to on the G:link. You can rock up anytime in their opening hours for their express walk-in services – no appointment needed.

They offer a quick and confidential check-up and can give you the reassurance you need that you are healthy and safe. (Note: If you have symptoms, you will need to book an appointment.) It’s free for everyone, even those without a Medicare card. The best part – it takes less than 15 minutes.

So, grab a mate if you like and go check out your local sexual health service before coming to Schoolies.

Unsure about getting to the GP or sexual health service?

Order a free chlamydia and gonorrhoea test online - it’s 100% confidential and did we mention it was free?! Just call 13HEALTH or visit 13 HEALTH—Health advice over the phone | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government.

You can get an STI test at Schoolies too!

Come say hi to us! Most years we team up with the Sexual Health Service to run a sexual health pop-up during one of the days at Schoolies. So, keep an eye out for more details! It’s a chill way to swing by, play fun games about sexual health, win cool prizes and take a quick, free STI test supported by one of our friendly sexual health nurses. They’re always up for a chat.

Tests provided at Schoolies will be self-collected samples, so no need to show your bits! You are in control of your test. We’ll direct you to the closest bathroom where you can pee in a jar or swab yourself and that’s all there is to it.

Wait, so what does it test for?

Well, we’re glad you asked. The STI test you can take at the Schoolies Day Space will test for only chlamydia and gonorrhoea. (If you go to your sexual health service, they can test for more types of STIs such as syphilis).

We test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea because they are the two most common types of STIs impacting young people in Australia. In 2024, over half of all chlamydia notifications were in those aged between 15 and 24 years. Yeah, that’s a lot.

So, getting an STI is common, and you should feel comfortable seeking healthcare support. It’s also super easy to get sorted out with a course of antibiotics.

Just pop down to the beachfront at Schoolies. We’ll be the ones in colourful bucket hats, with giants flags which saying “Public Health Unit” handing out condoms. We got you!

3. keep an eye on your mates

Be Safe and Watch your Mates! It’s repetitive, we know. But it’s true, and it’s the Safer Schoolies motto.

You know your friends best and you’re likely be the first to notice when something’s off - whether they’ve had too much to drink, are feeling uncomfortable, or just aren’t themselves. It’s not always easy to spot things like drink spiking, and sometimes people can be pressured into doing things that don’t sit right with them or go against their values. Trust your instincts, look out for each other, and don’t be afraid to step in or check in if something doesn’t feel right.

Remember this is your week and you deserve to feel safe, respected, and to have a good time.

When you've been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs, you're more vulnerable. We wouldn’t be doing our job as a public health unit if we didn’t keep it real with you. Being in that state can increase the chances of risky or harmful situations, including violence, stealthing, or nonconsensual sexual activity - whether that’s oral sex, sexual intercourse or risky practices like choking.

If something nonconsensual happens to you or your mates, reach out for support. On the ground at Schoolies, you’ll find Queensland Police and Ambulance Services, the Gold Coast Health Emergency Treatment Centre (staffed by doctors, nurses, social workers, and specialist mental health staff), and other supports such as Lives Lived Well, Gold Coast Youth Service, Rosies and Drug Arm.

This goes on to our last point…

4. Treat ALL people with respect and empathy

This goes for friends, people you’ve just met, romantic/sexual partners or flings, volunteers, store staff, Queensland Ambulance and Police - everyone. Schoolies is a huge week for everyone involved, and all the services on the ground are there to support you in having a safe and fun time.

Respect and empathy also apply in the context of sex, obviously. This means making sure everyone involved gives enthusiastic consent - a clear and confident “yes” from all parties. This “yes” must be given every time - even if you’re in a relationship or have agreed previously. Without consent, it’s sexual assault.

For consent to be given, it must be:

• freely given: You genuinely want to do this, you don’t feel pressured into anything or will receive any consequences if you don’t agree. This also means there are no big differences in power (e.g. big age gaps).
• informed: You what you’re agreeing to and any possible risks (like STIs, pregnancy or health risks related to sexual choking).
• specific and communicated: You know exactly what is going to happen, the way you have agreed to doing it (e.g. with a condom or not) and have clear boundaries on what you are comfortable with and not comfortable with.
• able and capable: You can’t give consent if you’re drunk, high, unconscious, or drifting in and out of consciousness.
• reaffirmed and is reversible: Consent isn’t a one off ask. You check in throughout the interaction, especially if someone’s body language or enthusiasm changes. You can check consent by asking: “Does this feel good?”, “Do you like this?” or “Is this ok?”. If someone says stop, you stop, immediately as they withdraw their consent.

If something feels off, it’s okay to pause or stop. Anyone can change their mind at any point - even seconds after saying yes. If someone says, “actually can we stop”, “wait” or “I don’t feel like this anymore”, even if it’s in the middle of a sexual activity, you must stop immediately.

You deserve a week that’s full of fun, respect, and celebration - on your terms.

Remember, the world is big, and this is just the beginning of your journey into adulthood and independence. There’s no need to rush.

Resources

• Sexualhealthresources at Taplink
• Promoting Consent Initiative by Teach Us Consent
• Understanding different relationships
• Stop the Rise of STIs
• Chill Out Zone (COZ) – GCYS
• Lives Lived Well (youth support service)

Definitions

Stealthing

When 1 person removes (takes off) a condom during sex, without the knowledge and consent of the other person. This puts the person at risk of pregnancy or STIs. It's a form of sexual assault in Australia.

Oral sex

This is any sexual contact between one person’s mouth and another’s genitals, e.g. giving head or blowjob.

Nonconsensual sex

Sex or a sexual practice between 2 or more people, where not everyone provides enthusiastic consent (as described in the 5 elements of consent above).

It's classified as a form of sexual assault or rape in Australia, depending on the sexual act.

Empathy

The ability to understand other people’s emotions or perspective and imagine or share what someone else might be thinking or feeling.

This is different from sympathy, which is about compassion and concern and 'feeling for' the person (I’m sorry you’re in pain), rather than 'feeling with' (I feel your pain).