Damon Mcknight
Australia has strict regulations for sunscreens due to its high skin cancer rates. Sunscreens are regulated as therapeutic goods, akin to medicines. They must meet three requirements: sun protection factor (SPF), broad-spectrum protection, and water resistance. While SPF 100 is not explicitly mentioned in the sources, it is likely illegal in Australia due to the absence of approved SPFs above 50+ in the sources. The maximum water-resistant duration that can be claimed on a label is four hours. In 2025, a scandal involving sunscreen products in Australia revealed that several popular brands failed to meet their SPF claims, leading to investigations and product recalls. This incident highlights the importance of accurate labelling and regulatory compliance in the sunscreen industry, especially in a country like Australia, where sunscreen is considered essential for sun protection and skin health.
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What You'll Learn
Australia's SPF regulations
Australia has some of the world's most robust sunscreen regulations. Sunscreen is considered a therapeutic good and is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA organises sunscreen products into two types: primary and secondary sunscreens.
All therapeutic sunscreens in Australia must meet three label requirements: sun protection factor (SPF), broad spectrum, and water resistance. The SPF rating indicates how effective the sunscreen is against sunburn. The higher the number, the stronger the protection. For example, SPF30+ indicates that the SPF is higher than 30, while SPF50+ indicates that it is higher than 50. SPF50+ blocks at least 98% of UVR (ultraviolet radiation), including both UVA and UVB radiation.
The "broad spectrum" label means that the sunscreen protects against both UVB and UVA radiation. UVA is believed to be the main cause of long-term damage. The "water-resistant" label indicates that the sunscreen remains effective during water activities or sweating for a certain period, with the maximum duration in Australia being four hours.
In addition to these regulations, cosmetic sunscreens in Australia have specific requirements. These products are primarily designed for cosmetic or skincare use and cannot make therapeutic claims or imply they can cure or prevent skin conditions.
The TGA's strict regulations ensure that sunscreens sold in Australia provide a high level of protection and meet the stated SPF ratings. However, independent testing by Choice Australia in 2025 found that several popular sunscreens did not meet their SPF claims, sparking a review of existing SPF testing requirements by the TGA.
While SPF 100 sunscreens are available in some countries, they are not approved in Australia due to the TGA's focus on SPF50+ as the highest rating. This aligns with the Australian Government Agency ARPANSA's confirmation that SPF50+ provides sufficient protection, blocking at least 98% of UVR.
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SPF50+ blocks 98% UVR
In Australia, sunscreens are classified as cosmetic or therapeutic products. They must adhere to the mandatory labelling requirements outlined in the Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020. One of the requirements for therapeutic sunscreens is to display their sun protection factor (SPF) rating. The SPF rating indicates how effective the sunscreen is against sunburn. The higher the number, the stronger the protection.
SPF50+ is the highest sunscreen rating available in Australia. This means that at least 98% of UVR (ultraviolet radiation) is blocked. UVR includes both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA radiation is believed to be the main cause of long-term damage, while UVB radiation causes sunburns.
SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays, while SPF 100 blocks 99%. The difference in protection between SPF 50 and SPF 100 is small, and some regulatory authorities are concerned that higher SPF ratings may give consumers a false sense of protection. SPF50+ sunscreen provides adequate sunburn protection, even for people most sensitive to sunburn.
It is important to note that the effectiveness of sunscreen also depends on factors such as sun intensity and application levels. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours to ensure adequate protection.
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SPF testing requirements
In Australia, all therapeutic sunscreens must meet three label requirements: sun protection factor (SPF), broad-spectrum protection, and water resistance. The Australian government agency responsible for protecting the public and workers from radiation exposure is ARPANSA.
The SPF value indicates how effective the sunscreen is against sunburn, with higher values indicating stronger protection. To test the SPF value, the product's ability to protect against sunburn caused primarily by UVB rays is measured. The test requires a minimum of 10 subjects, with a maximum of three subjects able to be rejected from the test panel. The test site must be on the subject's back and must be at least 30 cm2 in size. Sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher can be labelled as offering broad-spectrum protection, which means they protect against both UVB and UVA radiation.
The water-resistance test indicates that the sunscreen's SPF protection is retained following immersion in water for a certain period. In Australia, the maximum water-resistant duration that can be claimed on the label is 4 hours. To obtain a "water-resistant (80 minutes)" claim, the test involves repeating immersion and drying cycles for a total of four sequences.
In terms of labelling requirements, therapeutic sunscreens may carry some non-therapeutic claims, but these must be truthful and non-misleading. Cosmetic sunscreens are limited to only having cosmetic claims and must not imply any therapeutic benefits.
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Sunscreen as a therapeutic good
Sunscreen is designed to protect the skin from the sun's damaging rays. However, there are conflicting claims about its efficacy and safety. Some studies have shown that sunscreen use is associated with a higher risk of skin cancer. However, this association is misleading, as individuals who use sunscreen are more likely to travel to sunny climates and sunbathe. In reality, it is the high amounts of sun exposure, not the sunscreen, that increase the risk of skin cancer.
Well-conducted studies have found that recommended daily sunscreen use reduces the incidence of squamous cell carcinomas by up to 40% over four years. Additionally, participants who used sunscreen daily for 4.5 years showed a significantly reduced risk of invasive melanoma 15 years after the completion of the study. The Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend sunscreen use for the prevention of skin cancer.
In Australia, sunscreen is classified as a therapeutic good and is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Therapeutic sunscreens are those that make therapeutic claims relating to sunburn and skin cancer prevention. To be classified as a therapeutic good, sunscreens must meet three label requirements: sun protection factor (SPF), broad-spectrum protection, and water resistance.
The SPF value indicates the sunscreen's effectiveness against sunburn, with higher values providing stronger protection. A broad-spectrum label means the sunscreen protects against both UVB and UVA radiation, with the latter believed to be the main cause of long-term damage. Water-resistant sunscreens remain effective during water activities or sweating for a certain period, as indicated on the label.
Ingredients in therapeutic sunscreens may be used in nanoparticle form, such as nanoparticulate titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These active ingredients reflect or refract ultraviolet radiation away from the skin. However, when particle sizes are very small, their mechanism of action becomes similar to that of chemical filters, absorbing ultraviolet light.
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SPF and UVA protection
In Australia, sunscreen products must meet three label requirements: sun protection factor (SPF), broad-spectrum protection, and water resistance. SPF measures how well a sunscreen product protects the skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburns. The higher the SPF number, the stronger the protection against UVB rays.
However, it is important to note that SPF only applies to UVB rays. UVA rays, often referred to as "aging rays," can penetrate clouds and windows and cause premature skin ageing and long-term damage to the deeper layers of the skin. To protect against UVA rays, look for sunscreens labelled as broad-spectrum, indicating that they provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
The effectiveness of SPF is also impacted by water exposure and sweating. In Australia, sunscreen products labelled as water-resistant must specify the maximum duration of water resistance, which cannot exceed four hours. Additionally, the effectiveness of SPF begins to diminish after two hours, so it is essential to reapply sunscreen every two hours, regardless of the SPF value.
When choosing a sunscreen, it is recommended to select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays. While higher SPF values offer greater protection against UVB rays, they do not provide additional protection against UVA rays. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize selecting a broad-spectrum sunscreen over a higher SPF value.
In summary, when purchasing sunscreen in Australia, look for products that meet the three label requirements: SPF, broad-spectrum protection, and water resistance. Prioritize broad-spectrum protection to guard against both UVA and UVB rays, and remember to reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming or sweating.
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Frequently asked questions
SPF 100 sunscreen is not illegal in Australia, but it is not approved for sale. Sunscreens in Australia are regulated as therapeutic goods, which means they are subject to some of the most robust sunscreen regulations in the world. The highest sunscreen rating available in Australia is SPF50+, which blocks at least 98% of UVR.
SPF50+ means that at least 98% of UVR (ultraviolet radiation), including UVA and UVB radiation, is blocked. The higher the SPF number, the stronger the protection.
Regulatory authorities are concerned that sunscreens with an SPF above 50 encourage people to spend more time exposed to the sun, believing they are getting significantly more protection, which is not the case. SPF100 sunscreen blocks 99% of UVR, which is only a small increase in protection compared to SPF50+.
