Busted by bouncers: Why schoolies shouldn’t waste their money on fake IDs being sold online
As hordes of schoolies descend on Australia’s party hubs, there’s one thing that’s a dead giveaway when 17-year-olds try to use supposedly “authentic” fake IDs bought online.
Schoolies have been warned not to waste money on fake IDs despite a thriving underground market offering “fakies” for as low as $80.
An investigation by News Corp has uncovered a raft of popular sites and apps where underage students can buy “authentic” fake IDs.
Sellers and buyers are connecting via Snapchat and Telegram, along with websites which allow children to buy fake IDs. Buyers are told they have to just upload a photo and enter a few details for a card with a full-faced hologram, which it’s claimed will bypass security.
These websites lure underage teens in with the promise of cheap and custom ID cards that can be dispatched in under two days – but with ID-assessing technology getting stronger, buyers might be getting much out of the deal.
It comes as schoolies have also been warned about dangerous high-potency drugs and the additional risks faced by those heading overseas.
Ches Rafferty, CEO of ScanTek, a digital security company used in many hospitality venues, said digital IDs were now so widely used that “physical IDs raised immediate suspicion as fakes”.
“It’s easy to check – we just ask someone to show us their birth date on Facebook, and if they’re not 18 then they will be denied entry,” he said.
“All young people these days have digital IDs, no one carries a physical one anymore.”
Mr Rafferty said digital IDs “are now more secure as we can spot fakes immediately by the configuration of the QR code”.
“The bouncer can see the ID, hold it up to the iPad, read the QR code and in most states verify it directly with the government agency,” he said.
“They can also do a biometric scan to see if the photo on the ID matches the person holding it, and if they are underage, or it the scan doesn’t match, they won’t be let in.”
Many teens are also using graphic tools to DIY their own fakes, using pre-made templates and even starting from scratch to create personalised IDs, but experts say fakes are easy to spot.
The Victorian government and Youth Law Australia have outlined some telltale signs of fake ID.
They say fake IDs will often produce bubbles underneath the lamination when they are bent or pressed, as lower-quality materials aren’t as sturdy.
Authentic IDs have a hologram that fades as the card is turned, whereas holograms on fake IDs tend to look like a sticker laid on top of the card or may be missing entirely.
Those found in possession of a fake ID in Victoria can face a $300 on-the-spot fine, or even heavier penalties if they are prosecuted in court.
The Queensland government says most year 12 school leavers are demonstrating great behaviour and enjoying the entertainment and support services provided at the Schoolies Hub on Surfers Paradise Beach.
“The 2025 Statewide Safer Schoolies Response ... is focused on ensuring the Schoolies period is as safe as possible for school-leavers, residents, businesses, and the broader community,” the Queensland Department of Housing said.
Safer Schoolies has also published a warning on their website regarding the dangers of underage drinking and parents’ role in ensuring the safety of their children.
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Originally published as Busted by bouncers: Why schoolies shouldn’t waste their money on fake IDs being sold online
