This was published 8 years ago
Schoolies overseas holidays: How to make sure your child is safe?
Sit your teenagers down and give them some ground rules before they head off to Schoolies.
If Australian young people drink too much at Schoolies, they are more likely to take risks. Credit: Nic Walker.
MY SON/DAUGHTER IS HEADING OFFSHORE TO CELEBRATE SCHOOLIES. WHAT PRECAUTIONS CAN I TAKE TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY WITHOUT CRAMPING THEIR STYLE?
A travel insurance policy is essential and they should not be heading overseas without one.
Register their travel plans and contact details with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website www.smartraveller.gov.au.
Make sure they have the phone numbers for the local Australian diplomatic representative and local emergency number for police and medical services stored as "favourites" on their phone.
Make scans of their passport, travel documents and travel insurance and keep one copy safe at home and email another to them, to be quickly retrieved in an emergency.
Make an appointment for them to see a doctor before they go. They might also need a sit-down talk.
Drugs, fighting and over-consumption of alcohol could have serious consequences. Drinking could put them in harm's way, tempting them into crossing the line into risky behaviour.
If they break the law, there's not much Australia's overseas representatives can do to help, and it might have an impact on their future travels. Don't do it, and don't let their friends do it either.
Impress upon them the necessity to stick with their mates and look after one another. If someone falls sick or gets hurt, stay with them and get help if necessary.
You can find a lot more advice on this topic at the Schoolies website www.schoolies.com and also on Smartraveller's dedicated schoolies site.
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