WARNING FOR SCHOOLIES

Fair Trading Minister Margaret Keech today urged parents to help senior students prepare for their big end-of-school celebration – Schoolies Week.

Mrs Keech said it was important for parents to ensure students attending Schoolies did their homework before the commencement of Schoolies Week.

“Every year Fair Trading receives complaints from schoolies about a range of accommodation issues such as bookings, contract disputes, bonds, standard of accommodation and schoolies being changed to different accommodation.”

“Similar problems can be avoided this year if parents sat down with their children to discuss their consumer rights and responsibilities.”

Mrs Keech said parents and children should:

·ask whether a bond is required, as not every accommodation provider charges one. Accommodation providers who require a bond must charge all prospective tenants a bond, not just schoolies;

·find out the minimum notice an accommodation agent will give if they cancel the booking and whether the full amount of the deposit will be returned;

·ask the booking agency or accommodation provider about their refund policy. Will you or your child be charged if they have to change or cancel their booking? and

·get a copy of the accommodation contract to check that the terms and conditions, especially the house rules, are acceptable – you don’t want your child to arrive and be hit with rules that won’t work for them.

Mrs Keech also recommended that schoolies, at the time of check-in, ask what their bond covers and inspect the apartment carefully, reporting any damage so they can not be blamed for it later.

“Neglecting to check and report any damage to the apartment when you arrive could see you held liable for it, whether you caused it or not,” she said.

“And if you are transferred to alternative accommodation that is inferior to what you originally booked, you are entitled to be compensated for the difference.

“It’s also important to get a copy of the bond receipt and an indication from the owner when the bond money will be returned.

“If you’ve had an incident-free stay and there is no dispute about the bond, it should be returned automatically and immediately, or at worst within 48 hours of vacating the premises.”

Mrs Keech also reminded moped hire and other transport mode businesses to ensure they clearly communicate the terms of hire contracts to young people and adhere to those terms.

"It is against the law for traders to discriminate against Schoolies because of their age,” she said.

“However, young people are equally responsible for ensuring they read and understand all aspects of contracts they enter into, including the fine print.

Mrs Keech also encouraged school leavers to be extra vigilant when they celebrate at schoolies this year.

“There are a number of factors that can impact on celebrations, including the possibility of drink spiking and excessive consumption of alcohol,” she said.

“Liquor Licensing is one of the Government agencies involved in protecting Schoolies. We have a key role to play in monitoring the sale and supply of liquor to minors and the consumption and possession of liquor by minors.”

More information about Schoolies Week is available in the Office of Fair Trading’s youth publication, Get out there! A survival guide for young adults. Get your free copy by calling 1300 658 030 or visiting www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Joanna Whitaker 3224 2006