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Tips for choosing and using shade well

Shade is easy to use. Staying in the shade, out of the direct sun, can reduce your overall exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation by up to 75%.

Never rely on shade alone, especially small portable shade. Use other forms of sun protection as well.

Shade can be natural (trees or shrubs), man-made or both. It can be permanent, temporary or portable. It could be purpose-built or simply a shadow cast from a nearby building.

Download Developing quality shade in early childhood settings [pdf 331K] or Developing quality shade in schools [pdf 396K] for more handy hints.

Portable shade

Tents, beach shelters, marquees and umbrellas can be made of different material.

For best protection look for:

• a swing tag with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 50+
• if there's no UPF rating look for a protection rating close to 100%
• shade made from closely woven or dense material
• shade made from material that is a darker colour.

Download Portable shade: tips for purchase and use - part 1 [pdf 1.17M] and part 2 [pdf 1.1M] for more handy hints.

Natural shade

Trees or shrubs that offer the best protection have:

• broad and low canopies; tall trees give less shade at ground level
• dense foliage.

Shade for everyone: a practical guide for shade development [pdf 3.41M] is useful to those planning and creating shade in places such as parks, playgrounds, schools and swimming pools.

Shade in schools

The Federal Government's Building the Education Revolution (BER) funding initiative for schools provides an unprecedented opportunity to increase or improve the quality of shade in your school. Developing quality shade in schools [pdf 396K] provides information to help guide the planning and development of shade or outdoor learning area projects in schools.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development's Building Quality Standards Handbook sets the minimum quality criteria for all projects, including new construction and refurbishment. Section 7.5.5 provides information about shade areas.

Building shade structures at secondary schools could play a major role in addressing young people's poor sun protection behaviours, according to Cancer Council Victoria.

Developing effective shade

Shade provides good sun protection and it's easy for people to use.

Well designed and correctly positioned shade will cast shade where and when it is most needed. Maximum protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be achieved when good quality shade is combined with protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Help to develop quality shade

• Guidelines for developing shade in particular settings
• The Shade policy framework [pdf 543K] assists local governments identify shade as a planning priority
• SunSmart shade awards highlight best practice shade design and shade policy across Victoria
• SunSmart eBulletins provide case studies of good shade projects in public places
• Shade funding suggestions provide a list of ideas and possible grants. 

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