7 insights into sun protection behaviours in Australia from new ABS data

Media Release
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Released
3/09/2024
Source
Sun protection behaviours, Nov 2023 to Feb 2024
  1. Three in five people (60.6 per cent) spent more than 15 minutes outdoors during peak UV times in the last week between late spring and summer 2023–24.
  2. One in 14 (6.9 per cent) Australians had been sunburned in the last week before being surveyed.
  3. Australians 15 to 24 years old were more likely to have been sunburned than Australians aged 65 years and older (15.2 per cent compared to 2.0 per cent). Skin cancer risk increases with a history of sunburn and tanning.
  4. Two in five (38.1 per cent) Australians used SPF30 or higher sunscreen. This was on most days in the last month during the survey period.
  5. Females were more likely to wear sunscreen on most days than males (48.8 per cent compared to 27.0 per cent), across every age group.
  6. One in 10 Australians (9.4 per cent) tried to get a suntan in the last 12 months.
  7. Suntanning was highest among young females 15 to 24 years old – one in four (26.0 per cent) young females had tried suntanning in the last 12 months, more than any other age group.

Proportion of people 15 years and over who experienced sunburn in the last week by state and territory, Nov 2023 to Feb 2024

This interactive map examines the proportion of people who were sunburnt in the last week by state and territory.

More information can be found from the Sun protection behaviours, Nov 2023 to Feb 2024 topic on the ABS website.

Media notes

  • Estimates are for the Australian population aged 15 years and over who were usual residents of private dwellings in Australia.
  • This release is the ABS’ first published estimates of Sun protection behaviours in Australia and was funded by the Cancer Councils of Australia.
  • Data were collected via telephone survey between November 2023 and February 2024 inclusive.
  • The sun protection behaviours that were collected as part of this survey included:
    • using SPF30 or higher sunscreen
    • wearing a broad brimmed hat or cap with a back flap
    • staying in the shade
    • wearing clothing or swimwear that covers three quarters of arms and/or legs
    • wearing sunglasses.
  • In this release, the peak UV time for states and territories was from 11am–3pm, this includes NSW, Victoria, SA, Tasmania and the ACT. Queensland, WA and the NT do not have daylight savings and the peak UV times were from 10am–2pm.
  • Attempting a suntan excludes fake or spray tan.
  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
  • For media requests and interviews, contact the ABS Media Team on 1300 175 070 or media@abs.gov.au (monitored 8:30am–5pm Canberra time, Monday–Friday).
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