Choose clothing that covers as much skin as possible- 

• long-sleeved shirt with a collar is ideal for a sunny day 
• long-sleeved rash vest is a great option for children in and around water.  

Sunscreens work by absorbing or reflecting harmful UV rays.

Choosing a sunscreen

Babies under six months: 

Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months of age.  

If your baby is under 6 months, use other sun protection methods when outdoors, such as: 

• shade 
• protective clothing  
• hats 
• sunglasses. 

Children six months and over:

For children 6 months and over, it is recommended to use a sunscreen that is:

• SPF30 or higher
• broad-spectrum
• water-resistant.

The best sunscreen is the one you use. Choose a sunscreen you and your child are happy to wear and reapply.  

In Australia, therapeutic sunscreens are regulated to make sure they are safe and effective. If your child has a reaction to a product, talk to your doctor to find another option to protect your child from the sun. This is rare and usually a result of a sensitivity or allergy. 

Applying sunscreen

Using sunscreen is estimated to prevent more than 1,700 melanoma cases and 14,190 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) each year.  

To get the best protection: 

• apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure 
• cover all exposed skin- for children, at least one teaspoon per limb, on the body, on the face, back of the neck, ears and hands 
•  use sunscreen when the UV index is 3 or above, not just in summer. Check UV levels daily using the free SunSmart Global UV app
• reapply every 2 hours or more often if your child has been:
  • swimming
  • drying off with a towel
  • sweating
• use sunscreen alongside other sun safety steps. 

Choose a hat that: 

• shades the whole face, ears and neck
  • broad-brimmed hat - brims should be at least 6cm for children
  • bucket hats - brims should be at least 5cm for children
  • legionnaire hats - back flap should cover the neck and meet the front brim to cover the side of the face 
• has a darker lining to reduce UV reflection back onto their face 
• fits well and doesn't block their vision.

Shade allows your family to spend longer time in the outdoors whilst being protected. Use trees, umbrellas or verandas. 

Shade considerations: 

• remember shade changes with the sun’s position- regularly check your area and move if needed 
• plan activities before 10am or after 2pm to avoid the hottest part of the day 
• check prams and strollers are shaded properly.

Too much UV radiation can harm children’s eyes causing: 

• irritation  
• inflammation 
• long term damage like cataracts  
• skin cancer around the eyes or eyelids. 

Encourage your child to wear sunglasses as soon as they are able to wear them.  

Choosing sunglasses:

Choose sunglasses that: 

• meet the Australian standards- to help absorb more than 95% of UV rays 
• have an eye protection factor (EPF) of 9 or above 
• are closely fitted to your child’s head er as much of their eyes as possible 
• are not toys or fashion glasses- these don’t provide sun protection. 

The darkness or tint of sunglasses doesn’t impact their level of UV protection. ‘If You Could See UV’ Video 

Tip: If your child helps choose their own sunglasses, they are more likely to wear them. It also helps create responsibility around sun protection when outdoors.