Accommodation for Schoolies is generally booked out many months in advance.  To give yourself the best chance of finding accommodation and avoid disappointment, it is recommended that you start thinking about your preferred accommodation provider up to 12 months in advance.  It is not uncommon for Year 11 students to book accommodation for Schoolies before they begin Year 12.

For information on accommodation providers in the Whitsundays, view our Places to Stay page.

Tips on accommodation

• Security to your room is important. Keep the door to your unit locked to keep valuables and money safe.
• Sharing accommodation is a Whitsunday Schoolies Week tradition, but it's important to discuss costs and agree on some house rules.
• It's a good idea to collect everyone's contributions towards food and rent in advance and put the money in a special bank account.
• Ask for a copy of the accommodation contract from your accommodation provider (not just the booking agent) and check the terms and conditions.
• Read the accommodation provider’s house rules to check if you can reasonably stick to them before you pay your deposit or sign a contract for accommodation. If you have already paid your deposit and you think the house rules are unfair, you should try to book other accommodation.  Watch out for cancellation fees!
• It's a good idea to get a receipt for everything you pay money for, including accommodation bond and rent. Receipts are important written evidence of who you paid, exactly what you paid for, how much you paid, when you paid, your method of payment, eg credit card, cash, EFTPOS, cheque etc.
• Damage to your accommodation can occur. Prompt action is required if you are responsible.  Try to resolve disputes about damage with your apartment manager - they must have a complaints handling process in place. If that doesn't work, contact the Office of Fair Trading on 1300 658 030 or Legal Aid Queensland on 1300 651 188.
• It's important that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities when renting accommodation during Whitsunday Schoolies Week.

Check out 'Get Out There! A survival guide for young adults' from the Office of Fair Trading, an information brochure that highlights post-school survival tips on issues such as buying a car, moving out of home and using credit. It is available through the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

If you have a question about your rights, or if you believe you are not getting a fair deal as a tenant, contact the Office of Fair Trading on 1300 658 030 or visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

Did you know?

• It's against the law for booking agents, accommodation managers and body corporates to discriminate against you because of your age
• Normally young people renting holiday apartments for short periods are not asked to pay a security bond and an agent or property owner can only ask for a bond if every other prospective tenant is also asked for one
• If you change or cancel your booking you could face a fee or lose your deposit. If the agent or owner cancels your booking you should receive all your money back.
• If you are transferred to inferior accommodation to that of your original booking, you should receive compensation equivalent to the difference in accommodation standards.