Ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer later in life. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, with two in three Australians developing some form of skin cancer before age 70.
Children are often in early childhood centres when UV levels are at their peak, meaning centres are uniquely placed to educate children about sun protection behaviours, minimise UVR exposure and ultimately reduce a child’s lifetime risk of skin cancer. All Australian primary schools and early childhood centres are encouraged to join the nationally recognised SunSmart program.
Cancer Council Queensland recommends sun protection policies are implemented in Queensland all year round.
Application
The SunSmart Program has national criteria which must be met before an application can be submitted for review by the SunSmart team.
Please review and update your sun protection policy and practices using our Sun Protection Policy Guide to align with the national SunSmart minimum criteria and complete this form application.
Maximum 7 pages are allowed in the attached document under the upload section.
Application Approval
Once your SunSmart application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the Prevention and Early Detection Team at Cancer Council Queensland. The sun protection policy will either be approved or additional feedback will be provided via email.
Once your SunSmart membership is approved, you will receive:
- A SunSmart sign (60cm x 90cm) to display at the SunSmart centre (for new members),
- A SunSmart certificate recognising your centre is SunSmart,
- Acknowledgement in the community that your centre is committed to the future health of its children
Read our Sun Protection Policy Guide to understand how to formulate a written sun protection policy.
Terms and conditions
If the centre is accepted as SunSmart, it will be promoting the SunSmart and Cancer Council Queensland’s sun protection messages in your daily activities, providing a role model to other centres throughout Queensland. Centres participating in the National SunSmart Program must agree to the following terms and conditions:
- To enforce the sun protection policy as documented.
- To take reasonable steps to ensure that all staff, children and parents are aware of the sun protection policy and its requirements.
- To inform Cancer Council Queensland of any changes to the centre’s policy and practices and anything else that may relate to or affect its inclusion in the National SunSmart Program.
Minimum standards
The centre agrees to comply with the following minimum standards:
- The sun protection policy is implemented all year round.
- All children wear a broad brimmed, legionnaire or bucket hat (minimum 5 cm brim, deep crown) when outside.
- The use of SPF50 or SPF50+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen is encouraged.
- Sun protective clothing is encouraged.
- Staff are requested to act as role models by practising SunSmart behaviours
- Play experiences about sun protection are included in the centre program.
- The sun protection policy is reflected in the planning of all outdoor events (e.g. excursions, picnics).
- Whenever practical, outdoor activities are scheduled to minimise time outdoors during periods when the UV is high to extreme (UV 6 or above).
- The centre has sufficient shade or is working towards increasing shade in the outdoor play space.
- The centre reviews its sun protection policy regularly, at least once every three years. This involves staff, management and parents and includes monitoring the centre’s compliance with its policy and making suggestions for improvement.
- SunSmart centres will be reassessed every three years to reconfirm sun protection practices.