The reference in Australia is the UV index: when it reaches 3 or more, the Cancer Council says you need to protect yourself. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt, so a cool day can also burn. According to Healthdirect, sunburn can start in about 10 minutes.
If someone is confused, faints or has seizures in the heat, call 000: it could be heatstroke.
What each UV level means
| UV index | Level |
|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Low |
| 3 to 5 | Moderate |
| 6 and 7 | High |
| 8 to 10 | Very high |
| 11 or more | Extreme |
You can check it on the free SunSmart app, which warns you when UV reaches 3, or on the Bureau of Meteorology website: bom.gov.au/uv.
The official tourism website says the sun is very strong even with cloud, that UV is high all year and that you need to take more care from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Cancer Council gives a wider window: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Its app shows the figure for each place.
Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. In 2023, more than 18,200 people were diagnosed with melanoma.
The five official steps
The campaign is called Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. According to the Cancer Council:
- Clothing (Slip). Cover as much skin as possible. Some clothing shows its protection with a UPF label.
- Sunscreen (Slop). SPF 50 or 50+, broad-spectrum and water-resistant.
- Hat (Slap). Wide-brimmed, bucket-style or with neck protection. Caps and visors do not protect enough.
- Shade (Seek). It reduces UV, but does not block it completely, because UV also arrives reflected.
- Sunglasses (Slide). Close-fitting and meeting the Australian standard AS/NZS 1067.
How to use sunscreen
- Apply it 20 minutes before going out, on clean, dry skin.
- Reapply every two hours, and after swimming or sweating a lot.
- For the whole body of an adult you need about 35 ml, around seven teaspoons.
- The Cancer Council does not recommend sprays.
- For babies under six months, using it is not advised. The advice is to keep them out of direct sun.
The sources do not give the same figure: Healthdirect and the tourism website mention SPF 30+, and the Cancer Council SPF 50 or 50+.
If you get sunburnt
Healthdirect says no treatment reverses UV damage. To ease the symptoms:
- A cool, damp towel.
- Moisturiser.
- Painkillers, if needed. The pharmacy can advise you.
See a doctor for large blisters, signs of infection, severe pain or dehydration. It is also worth showing them any new spot, or one that changes in colour, size or shape. How an appointment works is in seeing a doctor in Australia.
Heatstroke: how to tell
| Condition | Signs | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| Cramps | Pain or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs | Stop, rest somewhere cool and drink cool water |
| Exhaustion | Thirst, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, heavy sweating, pale skin, little urine | Lie down with legs raised, loosen clothing, cool the body and give sips of water. If no better, see a doctor. If worse, 000 |
| Heatstroke (emergency) | Confusion, strange speech, seizures, loss of consciousness, very high temperature | Call 000. Cool with water and cloths or ice on the neck, groin and armpits. Give water only if they are conscious and can swallow |
The table summarises Better Health Channel, from Victoria, and NSW Health. The skin in heatstroke can be dry or very sweaty. NSW Health adds that you should not give aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol, unless a doctor says so.
If the person is unconscious, place them on their side, check that they are breathing and, if needed, start resuscitation (CPR).
How to prevent it
According to NSW Health and Better Health Channel:
- Drink water regularly, even if you are not thirsty, and always carry a bottle. Alcohol and sugary drinks do not replace it.
- Clear urine usually means you are drinking enough.
- Leave physical tasks for first thing in the morning.
- From about 39 °C, fans are less effective.
- Never leave babies, children or pets in a car, even with the air conditioning on.
- Check the heatwave alerts from the Bureau of Meteorology. Victoria and New South Wales also have their own warnings.
If you work outdoors, Better Health Channel includes people who work or play sport outside among the higher-risk groups. Also people over 65, babies, pregnant women and people with existing health conditions.
Heat varies a lot from one city to another. You can see it in the pages for Darwin, Perth or Adelaide.
In Spanish: NSW Health publishes the sheet Combata el calor, updated in December 2023. For health questions, Healthdirect is open 24 hours on 1800 022 222. In Victoria, NURSE-ON-CALL is on 1300 60 60 24.
What we could not confirm
- Whether there is a legal maximum temperature for working. We could not check the Safe Work Australia and WorkSafe Queensland pages, so we give no figure.
- The direct data from the Bureau of Meteorology and ARPANSA, which we could not check. We cite them through the Cancer Council and Better Health Channel.
This is general information, not medical advice.
Sources
All viewed on 5 November 2026.
- Cancer Council Australia (not-for-profit organisation): UV Index, Be SunSmart, Preventing skin cancer, Check for signs.
- Sunburn, Healthdirect (official).
- Better Health Channel, Victorian Government (official): Heat-related illness, Extreme heat.
- NSW Health (official): Keep cool and stay hydrated, Heat-related illness, Combata el calor.
- Health and safety FAQ, Australia.com (official, tourism).