SunSmart UV Alert

The sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation is both a major cause of skin cancer and a great source of vitamin D. We need to balance the risk of skin cancer from too much sun exposure with maintaining adequate vitamin D levels. 

The SunSmart UV Alert is a tool you can use to know when to protect yourself from UV radiation and when you don't need sun protection.

Today's UV Alert for Melbourne

Today's UV Alert for locations around Victoria

Today's UV Alert for other cities/towns across Australia

The SunSmart UV Alert is based on the UV Index forecast, which predicts how much UV radiation will reach the ground that day.

The SunSmart UV Alert times are issued throughout the year by the Bureau of Meteorology when the UV Index is forecast to reach 3 or above.

The general rule of thumb for sun protection is as follows:

• From September to April the UV Index forecast for the day is usually 3 or above: at this level, UV radiation can damage your skin and eyes and sun protection is required.
• From May to August UV radiation levels are generally low (1 or 2) in Victoria. Sun protection isn't needed unless you are in alpine areas or near highly reflective surfaces such as snow or water. The Bureau of Meteorology issues the UV Alert for alpine areas.

Find out how to read and use the Alert by scrolling across the sample SunSmart UV Alert image.

Find out what the numbers, colours and exposure categories of the UV Index mean by scrolling over the UV Index table.

Download the brochure SunSmart UV Alert: Your daily guide to sun protection [pdf 342K] for more information about the UV Alert, why you should use it, how to read the Alert and how to be SunSmart when an Alert is issued.

Download the SunSmart UV Alert poster [pdf 152K] to print and display information about how to read the UV Alert.

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