Hat wearing and sunscreen use just too low: Victorians urged to step up SunSmart habits this season

SunSmart is urging all Victorians to remember to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide as the UV levels begin to rise across the state and sun protection season begins.

The plea is backed by the Victorian Government’s latest Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) 2023, which found a less than half (43%) of Victorians always or often wore a hat, and just over half (55%) always or often applied  sunscreen when out in the sun for more than 15 minutes during summer.

Head of SunSmart, Emma Glassenbury, says people may be surprised to learn Victoria’s sun protection season goes from mid-August to April, and sun protection is required whenever the UV is 3 or above to reduce skin damage and lower skin cancer risk.

“While acknowledging that Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, we can’t forget that skin cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers – and that sun protection is our best defense.”

“This data tells us our sun protection campaigns are more important than ever, especially when it comes to wearing hats and using sunscreen. Being home to some of the most dangerous UV levels in the world, only using sun protection sometimes, rarely or never during summer is not enough.”

“We want to see all Victorians consistently using sun protection as part of their daily routine in the coming months – particularly during summer, when we know damage from the sun can happen in as little as 11 minutes.”

According to the VPHS, men were less likely than women to use all five forms of sun protection, while young adults aged 18-24 and 25-34 were significantly less likely to often or always use nearly all forms of sun protection than all Victorian adults, except for sunscreen.

“Even on cool or cloudy days, remember: when the UV index is 3 or above wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun-protective clothing, and sunglasses, apply SPF 50 or 50+ sunscreen, and seek out shade to prevent UV damage and reduce your skin cancer risk,” said Ms Glassenbury.

While melanoma rates have declined by more than 50% since 1997 among Victorians aged 25-49, skin cancer is still prevalent. Victoria recorded more than 3,000 new melanoma cases and 164,000 treatments for non-melanoma skin cancers in 2023.

VicHealth CEO Professor Anna Peeters AM underscored the important role SunSmart plays in education which leads to skin cancer prevention.

“It’s clear we've come a long way in shifting understanding of sun safety and early detection, but that isn’t to say skin cancer is not still a major public health challenge in Victoria.

“VicHealth applauds the important work SunSmart has done and continues to do in empowering more Victorians to prevent skin cancer,” Professor Peeters said.

In addition to hat wearing and sunscreen use concerns, VPHS data showed that Victorian adults’ use of other forms of sun protection was falling short. Only 53% often or always wore clothing to protect them from the sun, just over half (56% ) often or always sought shade, while just 64% often or always wore sunglasses

To reinforce the importance of sun protection and celebrate the legacy of one of Australia’s most successful, life-saving health campaigns, a new SunSmart exhibition has recently opened at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne.

Today, public health leaders including Ms Glassenbury and Professor Peeters are gathering at ACMI to celebrate this legacy and mark the start of Victoria’s sun protection season.

The exhibition is located in ACMI’s The Story of the Moving Image gallery and showcases more than sixty years of iconic SunSmart campaigns and cultural moments that have shaped Australia’s approach to sun safety. It’s free to visit.

-ENDS-

About SunSmart:  
The SunSmart program is delivered in partnership with VicHealth and Cancer Council Victoria.  SunSmart is one of the longest running and most successful skin cancer prevention and early detection programs in the world. The program is dedicated to reducing skin cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality.  Download the SunSmart Global UV app: sunsmart.com.au/resources/sunsmart-app

About the Victorian Population Health Survey

The Victorian Population Health Survey (VPHS) is an annual assessment of the health and wellbeing of adults in Victoria and a key component of population health surveillance. The survey was first undertaken in 2001 by the Victorian Department of Health. In 2023, the VPHS was conducted at the LGA level, with a sample of 33,839 adult respondents and included questions on sunburn, sun protection and skin cancer early detection behaviours 

Reference 

Department of Health. Victorian Population Health Survey 2023. [cited 2025 2 October]; Available from: https://vahi.vic.gov.au/reports/victorian-population-health-survey-2023