UV exposure in Australia
It's important Australians know about UV (ultraviolet) radiation. We have one of the highest levels of UV exposure and the highest rate of skin cancers in the world.
UV radiation is high-energy radiation generated by the sun, but you can't see or feel it. It doesn't matter how hot the day is, you can still get burnt on cool or cloudy days.
Too much UV radiation in a short period can cause painful sunburn. UV exposure without any protection over many years can cause eye and skin damage, or skin cancer.
You need sun protection at the beach but also on cool days – our UV forecasts help you know when to use it
The Cancer Council recommends sun protection when the UV Index is 3 or above. Sun protection is not required when the UV Index is below 3. That's unless you are outside for long periods of time or near reflective surfaces, such as water or snow.
In this section, explore:
- what the UV Index is and how to understand it
- the factors affecting UV exposure
- how to protect yourself against UV.