The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
With end-of-year celebrations fast approaching, the Albanese Government is helping school leavers prepare for safe, confident travel abroad.
This week, Smartraveller has launched TravelSmarts, a new interactive learning tool guiding young Australians through real-world travel scenarios. It equips them to make informed choices, look after their mates and return home with positive memories.
Through our Schoolies partnership with DrinkWise and Red Frogs, we are delivering targeted digital content, educational resources, and practical advice to reduce alcohol-related harm and promote safer travel behaviours.
Support includes:
updated resources on Smartraveller’s Partying Safely Hub, including destination-specific advice and travel safety tools
partnerships with Unleashed and Schoolies.com to engage travellers at their destination via social media, welcome packs, information sessions and on-the-ground activities
targeted on-departure safety messaging
partnerships with airlines, youth media outlets and content creators, supported by digital advertising, to reach young Australians through the channels they use most.
These activities will help young Australians better understand risks they may encounter overseas, including drink spiking, methanol poisoning, and unfamiliar local laws, as well as how to stay contactable and seek help if something goes wrong.
Young Australians heading overseas are encouraged to visit Smartraveller.gov.au, test their TravelSmarts, explore the Partying Safely Hub and subscribe for travel advice updates before they leave Australia.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:
“Every Australian parent who waves their child off at the airport, expects them to come home safely.
“Our responsibility is to ensure young Australians have the information and tools to travel safely, to understand the risks, and make informed choices so their first independent travel experience overseas is a positive one.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Thistlethwaite:
"Travel safety doesn't start at the airport. It starts well before departure, when young people are planning their trip, booking travel insurance and talking to friends and family about their plans.
"TravelSmarts, the Partying Safely Hub and our partnerships with schools, youth organisations and the travel industry are all designed to give school leavers practical advice before they leave Australia, so they can focus on enjoying their overseas trip."