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For more information please get in touch with ARPANSA
- +61 3 9433 2211
- +61 3 9432 1835
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Current Australian UV Index Data
The UV Index is an indication of the maximum daily level of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) received at ground level. ARPANSA maintains a network of dataloggers situated in Australian capital cities that continuously record the UVR levels. The information is retrieved daily at around 5PM, local time, from the mainland sites and the UV Index for the day is calculated.
This page displays the latest UV-Index reports. Click here to view the UV-Index reports for the previous seven days.
UV-Index for 19 May 2013
| Site | UV-Index | Index Time |
UV Model | Model Time |
Latitude | Longitude |
| Adelaide | 2 | 11:50 | 3 | 12:10 | 34.9S | 138.6E | Brisbane | 5 | 11:50 | 5 | 11:30 | 27.5S | 153.0E | Canberra | 3 | 12:10 | 3 | 11:55 | 35.3S | 149.1E | Darwin | 8 | 13:10 | 9 | 12:40 | 12.4S | 130.9E | Kingston | 1 | 12:20 | 2 | 12:00 | 43.0S | 147.3E | Melbourne | 2 | 12:10 | 2 | 12:10 | 37.7S | 145.1E | Newcastle | 3 | 11:50 | 3 | 11:50 | 32.9S | 151.7E | Perth | 4 | 12:00 | 4 | 12:10 | 32.0S | 116.0E | Sydney | 3 | 11:50 | 3 | 11:50 | 34.0S | 151.1E | Townsville | 4 | 12:40 | 7 | 12:00 | 19.3S | 146.8E |
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What the UV Index means
Over exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause short term health effects such as sunburn. Long term exposure to ultraviolet radiation can increase the risk of damage to the skin and eyes which may result in skin cancers and cataracts.
UV Index is a measure of the maximum daily level of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). When the UV level reaches 3 or higher a combination of five sun protection measures (sun protective clothing, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and shade) may be required for personal protection. The UV Index value indicates the maximum daily level of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and is related to UVR exposure as follows:
| UV Index Level | Exposure Category | Colour Code | Precautions |
| 2 or less | Low |  | You can safely stay outdoors with minimal protection. |
| 3 to 5 | Moderate |  | Wear sun protective clothing, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and seek shady areas. |
| 6 to 7 | High |  | As above. |
| 8 to 10 | Very High |  | As above. |
| 11 or higher | Extreme |  | As above. |
The UV Index Chart
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The chart shows both the measured UV Index and the model for a particular day. UVR measurements made by the ARPANSA detectors take into account cloud cover, ozone levels and other environmental factors that computer models can only approximate. The red line on the chart represents the UV Index model. A model is a forecast of the UVR levels for a clear sky day. Ozone in the atmosphere varies on a daily basis and has an effect on UV levels. The model is based on an ozone value that is an average of historical daily ozone values for each site. UV levels may occasionally exceed the model due to differences between the averaged and actual ozone levels. Unusual cloud conditions may also cause the measured UV Index to exceed the model. |  "Example of a UV Index chart") |
Further information about the UV Index
Refer to the ARPANSA UV Resource Guide and the ARPANSA UV Index information sheet.
Information about UV models can be found on the Australian UV models page.
Refer to the ARPANSA UV information page for other presentations of UV information.
The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes a Global solar UV index fact sheet.
The latest SunSmart UV Alert can be found at the Bureau of Meterology.
Further information about the SunSmart UV Alert can be found at SunSmart.
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