OnlyFans, vaping, disease and drug warning as Schoolies begins
Thousands have descended onto the Gold Coast and other parts of the country to celebrate, but certain acts can lead to huge fines, jail sentences and lifelong regret.
It is that time of the year again that teens love and others dread – Schoolies.
Tens of thousands of young Aussies have descended onto destinations like the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Airlie Beach to celebrate after 13 years of primary and secondary education.
The annual event, seen as a rite of passage, allows those who finished high school this year to let their hair down and party with their friends following weeks of studying and exams.
But every year, authorities and experts are forced to issue notices about behaviour and illegal or dangerous acts that have made headlines in the past.
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In 2025, the warnings have also extended to engaging with OnlyFans stars.
British adult content creator Lily Phillips, who rose to fame after taking on a challenge to sleep with 100 men in one day, arrived into Sydney this week.
The 24-year-old was photographed at the airport on Thursday reportedly bound for the Gold Coast and has said she will be linking up with Aussie OnlyFans star Annie Knight.
“We’re just going to have some fun, and we’re going to find some Australian boys,” Phillips told a reporter at Sydney Airport when she arrived into the country.
She has kept her plans quiet, likely due to fellow British sex worker Bonnie Blue, who was kicked out of Australia by the Albanese government last year after calling out for “barely-legal 18-year-old men” to film content with her during Schoolies week.
Speaking to news.com.au, Avinash Singh, a Sydney criminal lawyer at Astor Legal, said what can be seen as “harmless fun” could lead to a lifetime of regret.
“It’s easy when you’re young to think that this is a bit of fun that you’re engaging in but you just have to think long-term in terms of what the consequences are going to be,” he said.
Adult stars have previously insisted participants who film content with them must prove they’re aged over 18, not be under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and sign a waiver.
Knight previously said anyone who changes their mind during and after filming can withdraw consent and the video would not be shared.
But Mr Singh warned that once published online, and someone changes their mind, it could be late as “some sort of record” remains on the web.
“Generally, once something gets on the internet it’s very difficult to get rid of it completely,” he told news.com.au.
“It will be accessible to your friends, family, potential future employers and it can really handicap you going forward in life.
“So it’s something that you should really have a think about carefully before agreeing to engage in this type of content.”
Meningicocal alert
Health experts are warning young Aussies to watch out for signs of meningococcal, which can kill within 24 to 48 hours in the most rare cases.
The disease, which spreads through close contact, can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (blood poisoning).
There have been more than 100 cases reported this year so far, with the 15 to 19 age group most at risk of the fast-moving bacterial infection.
In Queensland alone there have been 22 infections in 2025.
Gold Coast University Hospital infectious disease specialist Dr Peter Simos urged Schoolies attendees to be on alert for symptoms.
“Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, and every second without treatment risks irreversible damage,” Dr Simos said.
“The concern during Schoolies is that teens may dismiss early flu-like symptoms. I encourage anyone feeling unwell, even if in doubt, to seek medical help. Don’t leave it too late.”
Symptoms of meningococcal can include fever, headache, fatigue, vomiting, stiff neck, joint pain and a distinctive red rash or bruises that does not fade when the skin is pressed.
Schoolies is a prime setting for the disease to spread and can happen through close and prolonged contact, kissing or living in the same accommodation.
Anyone with concerns they may have contacted meningococcal can call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or triple-0 if they feel seriously ill and suspect they have the infectious disease.
Vape fines
The use of vapes has increased throughout the years.
But while rates of vaping among 14 to 17-year-olds have dropped to 15 per cent in 2025, it still remains a common social activity and will likely be seen at Schoolies events.
Generally, it is rare to see fines being handed out for public vaping.
But Mr Singh said teens busted smoking vapes in public can face hefty fines, no matter what state or territory they are in.
The most serious is in Western Australia and the ACT where a person could face a $45,000 and $30,000 infringement notice, respectively.
While in New South Wales a person can be slapped with a $1100 fine.
But across the border in Queensland, where most teens will be for Schoolies, a $9752 penalty fee could apply under the state’s Health Regulation Act 1996.
It is more than $15,000 in Victoria and the Northern Territory, $10,000 in South Australia and $7850 in Tasmania.
Most common Schoolies offences
Mr Singh said his practice every year gets a “pretty big influx” of clients who have found themselves in trouble with the law during Schoolies.
The most common offences he sees are usually drug possession, drug supply or assault and property damage, which happens most often while being drunk.
They come with serious consequences if the person is found guilty.
The maximum penalty for drug supply is 15 years jail, while drug supply is 24 months.
While assault offences can land someone behind bars for 10 years.
“Often if there’s large groups of young men getting into fights, what police do is they lay a charge of affray. It is more serious than a regular assault charge … a regular common assault, the penalty is two years imprisonment,” Mr Singh told news.com.au.
Any charges laid or jail time can have a lasting impact, the lawyer warned.
“If there’s a criminal conviction that’s recorded, that will stay on someone’s record, especially a young person’s record, for at least 10 years and sometimes for life depending on how severe the penalties that’s imposed on them” he said.
“So that’s something that really young people who are going to Schoolies need to be mindful of that it might seem a bit of fun but it can have long-term consequences for your career and your life going forward.”
The first week of Schoolies begins this weekend.
Originally published as OnlyFans, vaping, disease and drug warning as Schoolies begins
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