Wealthy parents are spending more than $10,000 on private investigators to spy on their kids during Schoolies

  • Private investigator claims Schoolies week is one of the busiest on their calendar
  • Wealthy parents are prepare to pay thousands of dollars to keep an eye on kids 
  • Investigators will book nearby accommodation to observe and report to parents

By Zoe Zaczek For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:28 EST, 4 November 2018 | Updated: 01:33 EST, 4 November 2018

A private investigator claims Schoolies week is one of the busiest on his calendar as wealthy parents fork out thousands of dollars to spy on their children.

Oliver Laurence, founder of OJT Investigations Group, said the firm already has 16 jobs booked for the period, with some investigators travelling to end-of-school celebrations in Fiji and Bali.

Mr Laurence said their service is a 'safety net' and many of the partygoers don't know they're being watched, Gold Coast Bulletin reported.  

A private investigator claims Schoolies week is one of the busiest on their calendar as wealthy parents are willing to drop money to spy on their children

A private investigator claims Schoolies week is one of the busiest on their calendar as wealthy parents are willing to drop money to spy on their children

Oliver Laurence, founder of OJT Investigations Group, said the firm already has 16 jobs booked for the period, with some investigators travelling to end-of-school celebrations in Fiji and Bali

Oliver Laurence, founder of OJT Investigations Group, said the firm already has 16 jobs booked for the period, with some investigators travelling to end-of-school celebrations in Fiji and Bali

'We're not a bodyguard service. We're not Kevin Costner. We are there to report back and keep parents informed, and to ensure the person we are watching is safe and enjoys themselves,' he said.

Agents of the firm would only intervene on festivities if they believed a young person was at risk.

'If police need to be advised, we call them first and foremost. If someone's life is in danger, that's our first port of call,' he said.

Mr Laurence said agents have had to prevent kids from getting in fights and damaging apartments, as well as tending to teenagers intoxicated on the beach.

Mr Laurence said their service is a 'safety net' and many of the partygoers don't know they're being watched

Mr Laurence said their service is a 'safety net' and many of the partygoers don't know they're being watched

Agents of the firm would only intervene on festivities if they believed a young person was at risk

Agents of the firm would only intervene on festivities if they believed a young person was at risk

He added there wasn't anything they would exclude when reporting to parents - whether it be a sex, drug or safety related.

Mr Laurence (pictured) said parents are prepared to pay between $1500 to $6000 for the week, as determined by industry standards

Mr Laurence (pictured) said parents are prepared to pay between $1500 to $6000 for the week, as determined by industry standards

The private investigators often book apartments overlooking a revellers' accommodation and festivities and notify the parents about what their child is up to.

'These parents are often guarantors on an apartment being leased and they don't want to end up paying thousands of dollars if it gets damaged,' he said. 

Mr Laurence said some parents will want their children observed 24/7 while others only engage for evening festivities. 

He said parents are prepared to pay between $1500 to $6000 for the week, as determined by industry standards. 

An international job, however, can cost upwards of $10,000 as two agents are sent on a plane. 

Schoolies celebrations this year will be held from November 17-24.

Out of 21,282 Schoolies revellers in 2017, 66 were arrested by authorities.

Mr Laurence said some parents will want their children observed 24/7 while others only engage for evening festivities (stock image)

Mr Laurence said some parents will want their children observed 24/7 while others only engage for evening festivities (stock image)

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Wealthy parents are hiring private investigators to spy on their kids during schoolies

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