A good day outside starts here
A little planning,
A lot more protection.
For the school run, the workday, the sidelines and everything in between. Understand UV and make sun protection part of everyday life.
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Check the UV.
Not the temperature.
You cannot feel UV,
but you can plan for it.
UV radiation can damage skin without feeling hot.
A cool day is not a reliable guide to protection.
The UV index at a glance
From 3 onwards: use all five forms of protection. Below 3, extended outdoor time and reflective settings can still call for protection.
Outdoor workers and people with particular skin-cancer risks may need additional precautions.
Understand UV Exposure Here
Better Together
Five Layers,
One Everyday Habit.
Sunscreen is only one part of the picture. Bring the five SunSmart steps together.
01
Slip.
Cover more skin.
Choose clothing with good coverage: longer sleeves, a collar and longer trousers or skirts. Densely woven fabrics help; look for a UPF rating when choosing sun-protective clothing.
02
Slop.
Make sunscreen a layer.
Choose SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Apply generously to exposed skin, alongside clothing, shade, a hat and sunglasses—not instead of them.
03
Slap.
Shade your face and neck.
A broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire-style hat helps protect your ears, neck and face. A baseball cap leaves important areas exposed.
04
Seek.
Find your shady spot.
Plan breaks and activities around shade. Move as the shade moves, and keep using other protection: reflected and scattered UV can still reach you.
05
Slide.
Look after your eyes.
Choose close-fitting, wraparound sunglasses labelled for UV protection and meeting the Australian Standard. Wear them with a protective hat.
SPF
Early enough.
And again.
Three small details that are easy to miss.
01
About 7 teaspoons
For a full-body application on an average-sized adult: one teaspoon for the head and neck, each arm, each leg, and the front and back of the torso. Apply generously to exposed skin.
02
20 minutes before
Apply to clean, dry skin before going outside. Choose SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.
03
Every 2 hours
Reapply while outdoors, and after swimming, sweating or towel drying. Keep following the label instructions.
Tips and Tricks
Same Protection.
Different Places.
Build protection into the working day.
Long hours outside mean UV exposure adds up. Outdoor workers need protection throughout the year, even when UV is low.
- Plan shaded breaks and move suitable tasks away from peak UV periods.
- Keep protective clothing, a suitable hat and sunscreen accessible
- Make UV protection part of your workplace safety plan
Before you head out
The door-side checklist.
A quick reminder, not a measure of your protection. Check your local UV forecast and plan for the time you will spend outdoors.
Quick Answers
Sun Safety,
without the myths.
Does a cool or cloudy day mean low UV?
No. Temperature does not measure UV radiation, and cloud is not reliable protection. Check the UV forecast and sun-protection times rather than judging by the weather.
Does water-resistant mean I can skip reapplying?
No. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating or towel drying. Follow the product instructions, even if its water-resistance claim covers a longer period.
What if I am worried about vitamin D?
Vitamin D supports healthy bones, muscles and overall wellbeing. Most people gain enough through the small amounts of sunlight they naturally receive during everyday activities. Spending longer in the sun is not a safer or more effective solution, as additional UV exposure increases skin damage and skin-cancer risk. People at risk of low vitamin D may benefit from dietary sources, testing or supplements tailored to their individual needs.. Talk to your GP about your personal circumstances rather than deliberately tanning or burning your skin.
Can a tan protect my skin?
A UV tan is a sign of skin damage, not a healthy protective layer. Repeated exposure adds to the damage over time.
Read and Explore
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A little more knowledge,
To take outside.
Feature Guide - Skin Knowledge
UV is not the same as heat: why cool days can still damage skin.
Article Coming soon...
01
UV Information
Protect beyond the beach.
02
UV Information
The Difference Between UVA and UVB
03
UV Information
Preparing for a High-UV Day
Podcasts and Videos
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Good conversations,
Useful lessions.
Podcast - Skin Knowledge
Medications and Sun Sensitivity
Podcast coming soon...
Video - Skin Knowledge
Your sun safe routine: step by step.
Video coming soon...