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.
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.
Check the UV forecast
To find the UV forecast:
- Search for your location using the magnifying glass at the top of this page.
- On the location page, select Show more about today.
- Scroll to Sun and UV times.
To view the UV forecast on the weather map:
- Search for your location from this page or at Forecasts and observations.
- Above the map, select More weather. This opens map settings.
- Select Forecast and Humidity and UV.
- Select UV index and close map settings.
You need sun protection at the beach but also on cool days – our UV forecasts help you know when to use it
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.