In short:

Queensland's new government says pill testing will go ahead at schoolies on the Gold Coast.

The LNP previously said it would scrap the program in the lead-up to last month's election.

What's next? 

Health advocates hope the program will be made permanent.

A pill testing service will be available at schoolies on the Gold Coast despite the government saying it "sends the wrong message" about drug use in the community. 

Queensland's new Liberal National Party government had said it would scrap the plan to offer a confidential and free pill testing service near the Surfers Paradise entertainment precinct. 

But Health Minister Tim Nicholls's office said the program would go ahead because a contract for the program had already been signed by the previous Labor government prior to last month's state election.

"Our position remains that there is no safe way to take drugs and pill testing sends the wrong message," a spokeswoman for Mr Nicholls said.

"After taking advice so close to the event, the only short-term option is for the Department of Health to honour the contract for this year's event."

The Gold Coast is home to Australia's largest schoolies celebrations where more than 20,000 school leavers visit the city from mid-November, with many flocking to the party precinct of Surfers Paradise.

Health experts welcome decision

Australian Medical Association Queensland President Nick Yim said the decision would improve the safety of Queensland school leavers.

"I think it is great to hear that the current government is keen to consult with the experts on issues and I look forward to working on them moving forward," Dr Yim said.

He said pill testing was just one approach to combating the harms presented by drug use, but he hoped the program would be made permanent. 

Dr Yim said pill testing programs could place potential drug users into closer contact with medical professionals. 

He said they could also lead to people making safer decisions, with data suggesting that 16 per cent of people disposed of the drugs after having them tested.

"These are Queenslanders who may have had the intention to take [drugs] but actually decided not to take it after having their pills tested," he said.

Where will the pill-testing take place?

The Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN), which offers specialist medical services for alcohol and other drugs, will help operate the testing service from November 16 to 22.

Chief executive Geoff Davey said the service would be available in the emergency treatment centre on The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise between 2pm and 6pm.

He said participants would be introduced to a health worker who would offer informed health advice alongside the test results.

"It's in that health conversation and the receiving of the results that we know those encouraging change things can happen," Mr Davey says.

"They might take other health-promoting decisions like taking less of it or reducing their dosage."

Premier opposes program

Last week Premier David Crisafulli said his government opposed pill testing programs. 

"We said we don't support pill testing and I'm not walking away from that," Mr Crisafulli said. 

The previous Labor government had been taking steps to establish drug testing services in Queensland while many other states opposed similar programs.

In July, it was announced the schoolies site would cost $80,000 and be part of the government's $1 million investment to fund drug-checking services.

That followed the establishment of the first fixed-site service, CheQpoint, in Bowen Hills in April and a second site was set up on the Gold Coast in July.

The state's first-ever pill testing clinic at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival in March was hailed a success by the event's organisers.

While the Victorian government will trial testing this summer, the ACT is the only other Australian jurisdiction to allow drug checking.