This year, National Skin Cancer Action Week (15 – 22 November 2026) marks a special milestone. In 1981, Sid Seagull first told Australians to Slip, Slop, Slap. Forty-five years on, that message has grown and evolved to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.
But skin cancer remains Australia's most common, yet preventable, cancer. Two in three Australians will develop it in their lifetime and Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
This year, Cancer Council Australia is focusing on encouraging Australians to consistently use the five forms of sun protection and highlighting that the benefits of sun-safe habits last a lifetime.
The importance of starting habits early
Half of all lifetime UV exposure happens before the age of 20. Childhood sunburn can approximately double the risk of developing melanoma later in life. And children are more than twelve times more likely to use sunscreen when they see their parents doing the same.
Sun protection is something we learn, and it's something we can pass on. The small habits built early, like wearing protective clothing, reaching for sunscreen, putting on a hat, finding the shade, can become instincts that carry us through life.
This year, we're asking every Australian to check the UV before heading outside and to model the five sun-safe behaviours for the people around them.
The five forms of sun protection
Whenever the UV Index is 3 or above, use all five:
- Slip on sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible
- Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen — apply 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours.
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears
- Seek shade
- Slide on sunglasses, ideally a wraparound style, that meet Australian standards.
Get involved this NSCAW
- Check the UV Index on the SunSmart app before heading outdoors
- Share the five forms of sun protection with someone you love
- Get to know your skin; if you notice any new spots or changes to existing spots, see your GP promptly
- Follow Cancer Council Australia on Instagram and Facebook for daily sun safety content and competitions throughout November and National Skin Cancer Action Week.