Information for schoolies

Support

Support is always available

Image showing a QR code inking school leavers to a page showing support options on the Gold Coast. If you follow the link, you can save the page from the Gold Coast City Council to your phone home screen.

There is always someone to help

To help keep your Schoolies experience as safe as possible, there's a range of free support services for schoolies celebrating on the Gold Coast.

Whether you need a friend to talk to, someone to walk you home, an in-room pancake cook up, or first aid, know that there will always be someone available to help you—without judgement.

Head to one of our Recharge Zones, the Schoolies Support Space, reach out to one of our many volunteers (they're the friendly crew in the bright orange vests), or call the Red Frogs Hotline on 1300 557 123. You can always ask a friend to reach out on your behalf if you don't feel comfortable.

The Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response is activated during the peak Schoolies period. If you are visiting the Gold Coast after Friday 28 November 2025, make sure you check out what support is available during Week 2.

Support on the ground

There’s a range of additional support services available during the peak Schoolies period on the Gold Coast (22 to 28 November 2025).

Safer Schoolies volunteers

Each year, hundreds of dedicated and caring volunteers give up their time to help keep schoolies as safe as possible.

Safer Schoolies volunteers (the crew in the bright orange vests) patrol in groups of 4 nightly and provide a first point of contact for schoolies in need—without judgement.

Some of the many ways Safer Schoolies volunteers can help you or your friends:

  • provide a 'walk home service' to accompany you back to your accommodation—never walk alone
  • look after you if you’ve had too much to drink or are drug affected
  • help you to a Recharge Zone or the Schoolies Support Space for a quiet place to rest and rehydrate
  • provide a friendly face to talk to, regardless of the situation
  • get you basic first aid or emergency medical treatment when needed
  • provide you with general items (e.g. band aids and condoms)
  • comfort and connect you to mental health services when needed
  • help you with general information or directions.

Accessibility

In 2024 we proudly announced our partnership with the Hidden Disability Sunflower Program. This means many of our staff and volunteers have now been trained to support people with hidden disabilities at the Safer Schoolies Gold Coast Response.

For accessible parking, toilets, beach access and other facilities in Surfers Paradise please see the below resources:

Parking options are available close to the Schoolies Beach Hub entry for eligible patrons.

If you have any other questions about accessibility or to make accessibility arrangements, please contact Safer Schoolies HQ at SaferSchoolies@housing.qld.gov.au and one of the Safer Schoolies team will be in contact to discuss your needs directly.

Recharge Zones

Staffed by trained volunteers, Recharge Zones are free, private places for you to rest, rehydrate, and receive support in Surfers Paradise. Operating nightly between 7pm and midnight, the Recharge Zones receive visits from thousands of schoolies, often just for a friendly chat, some time out, or a drink of water.

There are 3 Recharge Zones within the Schoolies precinct:

  • Recharge Zone 1—inside the Schoolies Hub near the North Stage.
  • Recharge Zone 2—on the Esplanade outside the Schoolies Hub (between Hanlan Street and Cavill Mall).
  • Recharge Zone 3—inside the Schoolies Hub near the South Stage.

Check the Safer Schoolies Response Zone Map before heading to Schoolies Week, so you know where all the support services are located.

Schoolies Day Space

Staffed by trained volunteers, the Schoolies Support Space is a private and safe place for you to rest, rehydrate and receive support in Surfers Paradise.

Located at the top of Cavill Mall on The Esplanade, the Schoolies Day Space operates daily and is free for young people in need to attend.

Chill Out Zone

During Schoolies week, Gold Coast Youth Service activate their Chill Out Zone nightly in Orchid Avenue to support schoolies. Similar to the Recharge Zones, the Chill Out Zone is a free, private place for you or your friends to rest, rehydrate and receive support in the Surfers Paradise nightclub strip.

  • Located next to the Hilton.
  • Operates nightly from 9.30pm – 3.30am.

Emergency Treatment Centre

The Emergency Treatment Centre (ETC) provides free, emergency medical treatment for schoolies in need.

  • Located on The Esplanade (adjacent to the Soul roundabout).
  • Operates nightly.

At times, Schoolies can be overwhelming. If you or your friends are feeling distressed or not coping, you can head down to the ETC for psychological and mental health support.

Accommodation outreach

Need some help mediating a problem with your roommates, a walk home back to your accommodation, or would simply love a pancake cook-up for you and your mates? Well Red Frogs Australia are your people. Their team of volunteers are available to support you in your accommodation.

Please note: this is not an emergency hotline. If you need emergency assistance, always call Triple Zero (000).

More support

Don’t risk it—in the event of an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).

For all non-urgent incidents including reporting offences, traffic crashes, and lost property.

Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Got a question? Contact the Safer Schoolies team.

Kids Helpline

Anonymous and confidential counselling for 5–25 year olds. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Youth Beyond Blue

Information, resources and support for young people dealing with depression and/or anxiety. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Lifeline Crisis Support

Support for people having a hard time coping with an event or experience in their life. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Gold Coast Mental Health and Specialist Services

1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) is a 24/7 confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides specialist mental health care, education, advice and to Queenslanders.

Headspace

One stop shop for young people and families who need support with mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drugs.

Reach Out

A web-based service providing information, support and interactive features to help young people get through tough times.

Suicide Call Back Service

Free professional counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week across Australia.

Lives Lived Well

A not-for-profit organisation with more than 40 years’ experience in delivering mental health, alcohol, drugs and other services to youth.

Adis

Providing confidential 24/7 support, counselling and referral for people with alcohol and other drug concerns.

Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Providing facts, resources and programs to prevent and minimise alcohol and other drug harm in Australian communities.

Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence

Free, confidential information, support, and counselling to young women, aged 15 years and above, who have been the victim of sexual assault.

Alternative Reporting Options (ARO)

ARO exists for survivors of sexual assault and provides an alternative to making a formal complaint. Many survivors have reasons for not officially reporting the crimes of sexual assault or rape. ARO gives the survivor the opportunity to provide police with the full circumstances of their assault with the option of remaining anonymous if they wish.

13 Health

Confidential, qualified, and supportive health information. 13 HEALTH provides qualified health advice; it is not a diagnostic service and should not replace medical consultation. In an emergency always call Triple Zero (000).

1800 Respect

National sexual assault and domestic and family violence counselling helpline, information, and support. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Queensland Sexual Assault Helpline

Confidential counselling and support for people who may have been sexually assaulted or abused, or people who are concerned that someone they know has been assaulted.

True – relationships and reproductive health

True, friendly, female clinicians. Experts in sexual health, offering judgement-free treatment and advice in clinics across Queensland.

eSafety Commissioner

Resources, advice, and education to help keep you safe online.

Aiming to deliver a fair and safe marketplace for Queensland consumers.

Get public transport information for Queensland from Translink.

For free legal advice contact Legal Aid Queensland.

Red Frogs Australia

Available 24 hours a day during Schoolies Week, providing a walk home service, in-room support and pancake cook ups.

Please note: the Red Frogs hotline is not an emergency hotline. School leavers requiring emergency assistance should always call Triple Zero (000).

Gold Coast Youth Service

Providing emergency assistance, information and support to young people to help them reach their full potential.

Smartraveller

Australian Government’s travel advice and consular information service helping you make informed decisions about where and when to travel overseas.

Last updated:
3 June 2025