Sunburn can happen fast. SunSmart warns that in Victoria’s summer months, UV can cause damage “in as little as 11 minutes”. The good news is that sun safety for kids comes down to a few simple habits, and children are very good at learning habits. Here is what UV level needs protection, the five SunSmart steps, the sunscreen and hat to choose for school, and how to make it all part of your child’s routine.
What UV level do you need sunscreen?
Sunburn comes from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and the UV Index measures how strong it is. It’s forecast every day, and SunSmart’s rule is simple: “Whenever the UV Index hits 3 or above, cover up and protect your skin.” A UV of 3 is rated Moderate.
UV is strongest in the middle of the day, between 10am and 2pm, or 11am and 3pm during daylight saving time. Those are the hours when shade and hats matter most, including at lunchtime play at school.
When do kids need sun protection in Victoria?
In Victoria, UV usually reaches 3 or more from mid-August to the end of April. That covers most of the school year, not only summer. In the cooler months, roughly May to mid-August, UV in Victoria is usually lower.
The months are different in other parts of Australia, so the simplest habit is to check the daily sun protection times where you live. They show the hours when UV is forecast to be 3 or more. You’ll find them in the free SunSmart app, on the SunSmart and Bureau of Meteorology websites, and in the weather section of the newspaper.
The five SunSmart steps
You may remember “Slip, Slop, Slap”. Today there are five steps, and SunSmart calls them five forms of sun protection: clothing, sunscreen, a hat, shade and sunglasses. Use as many as you can together.
| Step | What it means | A kid-sized tip |
|---|---|---|
| Slip | Slip on covering clothing | Shirts with sleeves and collars cover more skin. A rashie for the beach or pool. |
| Slop | Slop on SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen | On any skin clothing can’t cover: face, ears, neck, hands, legs. |
| Slap | Slap on a sun protective hat | Broad-brim, legionnaire or bucket. Not a cap. |
| Seek | Seek shade | Play under trees, shade sails and verandahs, especially in the middle of the day. |
| Slide | Slide on some sunglasses | Let your child choose a pair they like, so they actually wear them. |
Sunscreen for school-age children
- Choose SPF50 or 50+. Since 1 August 2024, Cancer Council has advised all Australians to use SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen. If you remember SPF30+, that was the older advice.
- Put it on early. Apply it 20 minutes before going outside, so before the walk to school rather than at the gate.
- Reapply. Follow the directions on the bottle and reapply at least every two hours.
- Don’t rely on it alone. The Victorian Department of Education’s sun protection policy says students “should not rely on sunscreen as a sole line of defence against UV.” Clothing, a hat and shade still matter.
Teach your child to do the parts they can: a dot on the nose, both cheeks, the chin and the forehead, then rub in, and don’t forget the ears and the back of the neck. Doing it themselves now makes it a habit for life.
What kind of hat is best for school?
SunSmart recommends “a wide brim hat, legionnaire hat or bucket hat.” It says “Caps and visors leave large parts of your face, neck and ears exposed to UV radiation.”
- Legionnaire hats have a long flap at the back that covers the neck and ears.
- Bucket hats should sit low on the head.
- Wide-brim hats for children over 8 should have a brim of at least 6cm.
- The fabric should be densely woven. Loosely woven materials like straw can let UV through.
Sun safety at school
Victorian government schools follow the Department’s Sun and UV Protection policy. It says schools should support sun protection when the UV Index is 3 or above, “generally from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria”. Under the policy:
- Students and staff should wear hats that protect the face, back of the neck, eyes and ears. Baseball caps and sun visors are not considered a suitable alternative.
- The uniform or dress code must include sun-protective clothing.
- Students should be encouraged to use shade when they’re outdoors, especially if they don’t have a suitable hat.
- Schools should encourage SPF50 or 50+ sunscreen, put on at least 20 minutes before going out and reapplied every two hours, and where possible encourage students to bring sunscreen to school.
Each school also writes its own sun protection policy, so rules like “no hat, no play” come from the school, not the Department. Ask your school what it expects, and label your child’s hat.
What about vitamin D?
Children need some sun for vitamin D, but not much. SunSmart says that in spring, summer and autumn in Victoria, when UV is typically 3 or above, “only a few minutes of sun exposure is required” to help maintain healthy vitamin D levels, and that spending longer in the sun won’t increase them. The Department’s policy says sensible sun protection “does not put people at risk of vitamin D deficiency”. If you have concerns about your child’s vitamin D, talk to your GP.
Make sun safety a habit kids own
- Check the day together. At breakfast, look up today’s sun protection times in the SunSmart app or the weather forecast. Older children can be the family’s “UV reporter”.
- Get ready by the door. Shirt, sunscreen, hat. Same order every day.
- Plan the shade. At the park or beach, set up under a tree or umbrella before the middle of the day.
- Learn it through play. KidStudy’s Health lesson Sun and Water Safe for Year 2 has children put the five steps in order, and also covers swimming between the flags at the beach.
Going away over summer? Our gentle summer holiday plan has more ideas for the long break.
Questions parents ask
At what UV level does my child need sun protection?
Whenever the UV Index is 3 or above. Check the daily sun protection times in the free SunSmart app or the weather forecast, which show when UV will be 3 or more.
When do Victorian children need sun protection during the year?
In Victoria, UV usually reaches 3 or above from mid-August to the end of April. The free SunSmart app shows each day’s sun protection times where you live.
What are the five SunSmart steps?
Slip on covering clothing, slop on SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, slap on a sun protective hat, seek shade, and slide on some sunglasses.
How often should I reapply sunscreen on my child?
At least every two hours, following the directions on the bottle. Put it on 20 minutes before going outside, and use SPF50 or 50+.
What kind of hat is best for school?
A broad-brim, legionnaire or bucket hat that shades the face, neck and ears. Caps and visors leave too much skin exposed.
Does sunscreen stop my child getting enough vitamin D?
For most children, no. In the warmer months only a few minutes in the sun helps maintain vitamin D, and sensible sun protection doesn’t put people at risk of deficiency. Ask your GP if you’re worried.
Sources
- Protect your skin, SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria
- UV radiation, SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria
- UV and vitamin D, SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria
- SunSmart Global UV app, SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria
- Schools and early childhood, SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria
- Skin cancer prevention in children, Better Health Channel, Victorian Government
- The five SunSmart steps, Cancer Council Australia
- Sun and UV Protection: policy, Department of Education, Policy and Advisory Library
