When does Brisbane need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Brisbane that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Brisbane need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 27.5°S, winter middays in Brisbane still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.

Does city shade protect you from UV in Brisbane?

Only while you stay in it. Buildings cut some sky, but plazas, crossings and glass bounce UV onto uncovered skin. The live index on this page is the open-sky reading. Treat lunch outside as full-sun time whenever it is 3 or above.

UV index in Brisbane today

Queensland has the highest skin-cancer rates in the world, and its subtropical capital shows why: Brisbane's UV index sits at 3 or above almost every day of the year, hitting extreme through the long summer.

Live reading · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA

Today and tomorrow in Brisbane

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Brisbane. Tomorrow’s peak is the number to plan around if you’re heading out in the middle of the day.

Weather conditions right now

Cloud and rain cut heat more than they cut UV. A partly cloudy day in Brisbane can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Brisbane needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed year-round in Brisbane: winter UV still regularly reaches moderate to high levels around the middle of the day.

The threshold, per SunSmart and ARPANSA: whenever UV reaches 3 or above, Slip on covering clothing, Slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses. Read the full sun safety guide.

Where the UV adds up in Brisbane

Long, happy hours outdoors are where exposure quietly accumulates. Local favourites where the five S’s earn their keep:

South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach
Moreton Bay and the ferry to Stradbroke
Mount Coot-tha lookout walks
New Farm Park river loop

The UV scale at a glance

0–2Low
3–5Moderate
6–7High
8–10Very high
11+Extreme

Local support in Queensland

Cancer Council Queensland: Prevention and support in the state with Australia's highest skin-cancer rates.

Frequently asked questions

When does Brisbane need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Brisbane that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Brisbane need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 27.5°S, winter middays in Brisbane still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.
Does city shade protect you from UV in Brisbane?: Only while you stay in it. Buildings cut some sky, but plazas, crossings and glass bounce UV onto uncovered skin. The live index on this page is the open-sky reading. Treat lunch outside as full-sun time whenever it is 3 or above.