Secondary Schools and Sun Protection

Download our UV policy guidance for secondary schools (PDF, 70KB)

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with melanoma the most common cancer among young Australians (15–24-year olds).

Research has firmly established that adolescence and childhood are critical periods during which sun protection habits can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer later in life. It is estimated that more than 75% of all skin cancers could be prevented by practising sun protection in childhood and adolescence.

Secondary schools are in a unique position to be able to increase awareness of sun protection across their school community and establish best-practice sun protection practices in their school.

The UV policy guidance for secondary schools (PDF, 70KB) outlines the most effective strategies that schools can implement to improve sun protection behaviours among students and staff. Cancer Council NSW encourages secondary schools to consider which components of this guidance suit their needs and utilise the below information and resources to support sun protection across the whole school community:

New resources from Cancer Institute NSW

Developed in consultation with Cancer Council NSW, the Cancer Institute NSW has released a suite of interactive skin cancer prevention resources for NSW schools which support secondary students to make healthy, safe and proactive choice about sun protection to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

The evidence-based resources were developed to align with the objectives, content, skills and outcomes of the NSW PDHPE and Science K-10 syllabuses. To access the great new resources, visit the Sun and UV at School Teaching Resources.