The Cancer Council and TAL will roll out a youth-focused sun safety media campaign in November under a new three-year partnership tackling skin cancer.

Skin cancer is Australia’s most common cancer, and a significant proportion of lifetime UV exposure occurs before the age of 20.

“Awareness does not always translate into action,” TAL GM of health services Priya Chagan said.

“By working with Cancer Council, we can help make skin safety easier to understand and easier to act on, building habits – especially for young people – that can protect their future health.

“This partnership is about helping Australians take small, preventative actions that can make a meaningful difference over a lifetime.”

TAL’s research found 70% of Australians change their sun protection habits based on the weather, despite UV radiation being high even on cool or cloudy days; 43% rarely or never check the UV index.

The campaign will focus on checking the index daily and seeking shade when UV levels are rated three or above, as well as using high-SPF sunscreen and wearing protective clothing and sunglasses.

All forms of cancer represented 17% of claims TAL paid in the year to June 2025, with about $800 million paid to 9600 people – making cancer the second-leading reason TAL customers claim.

Cancer Council NSW director Naomi Watson says 48 people in Australia are diagnosed with melanoma each day, “but it is one of our most preventable cancers – the earlier people understand UV risk and build sun-safe behaviours into their daily routines, the greater the opportunity to reduce their future risk.”

Half of Australians are expected to be diagnosed with some form of cancer by age 85.