Skin Cancer in Australia: Key Statistics, Risk Factors and What You Can Do

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. It is not a minor public health footnote — it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in this country, affecting more Australians than any other disease of its kind.

This page compiles the most current skin cancer statistics for Australia drawn from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Cancer Council Australia and Melanoma Institute Australia. It is updated annually to reflect the latest data.

How Common Is Skin Cancer in Australia?

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. According to Cancer Council Australia, approximately 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70. The direct and indirect costs of treating skin cancer in Australia exceed $1.7 billion per year — more than any other cancer type.

Key fact: Australia and New Zealand have the highest melanoma rates in the world — approximately 4 times higher than in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Why? A combination of high UV radiation levels, a historically outdoor-focused lifestyle, and a largely fair-skinned population that settled in one of the highest UV-intensity environments on earth creates a uniquely high-risk environment for skin cancer.

Melanoma Statistics Australia 2025-2026

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and a significant public health issue in Australia. The latest data from the AIHW shows:

• Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australia by incidence, after prostate and breast cancer
• Approximately 17,000 new melanoma cases are diagnosed in Australia each year (AIHW)
• Melanoma accounts for approximately 1,800 deaths per year in Australia
• It is the most common cancer in Australians aged 15 to 44
• Men are diagnosed at approximately 1.5 times the rate of women
• Victoria has one of the highest melanoma incidence rates of any state in Australia

Understanding these statistics is important context for anyone considering a full body skin check or mole mapping in Melbourne.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: BCC and SCC Statistics

Non-melanoma skin cancers — basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — are far more common than melanoma but rarely captured in national cancer registries because they are treated so routinely. Estimates suggest:

• More than 800,000 BCCs and SCCs are treated in Australia each year
• BCC is the most common cancer in Australia by volume of procedures
• BCCs account for approximately 70-80% of all skin cancers
• SCCs account for approximately 20-30%, with a small but meaningful risk of spreading if left untreated

Skin Cancer Types at a Glance

Who Is Most at Risk of Skin Cancer in Australia?

Age and Gender

Risk increases significantly with age — the majority of skin cancers are diagnosed in Australians over 40. Men are disproportionately affected, particularly for melanoma and SCC, which may reflect historically higher outdoor and UV exposure over their lifetimes.

Skin Type and UV Exposure

Individuals with fair skin, light hair, and blue or green eyes have less melanin protection and face a significantly higher risk. A history of sunburn — particularly in childhood — is strongly associated with both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer risk.

Geographic Risk: Melbourne and Victoria

Victoria sits within a UV index that reaches 14 to 15 in summer — well above the WHO’s extreme threshold of 11. Melbourne’s UV index can exceed 3 (the minimum level requiring sun protection) on most days between September and April. This means skin cancer risk in Melbourne is year-round, not just summer.

The Link Between UV Radiation and Skin Cancer

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is responsible for approximately 95% of all skin cancers in Australia (Cancer Council Australia). UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, and when this damage is not repaired correctly, it can trigger abnormal cell growth — leading to skin cancer.

Both UVA and UVB radiation contribute to skin cancer risk. UVB causes the immediate reddening (sunburn) that most people associate with sun damage. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin, causing long-term structural damage that accumulates over decades — even without visible burning. Tanning beds emit both forms and are classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Skin Cancer Survival Rates in Australia

Survival outcomes for skin cancer in Australia have improved substantially over the past two decades, largely due to increased awareness, better screening access and advances in treatment for advanced melanoma.

How Early Detection Is Changing Outcomes

The single most impactful factor in skin cancer survival is how early it is detected. A melanoma caught at stage I requires a simple, in-clinic excision and has a near-perfect cure rate. The same melanoma, if undetected until stage IV, requires systemic treatment and carries a significantly worse prognosis.

Technologies such as digital dermoscopy and AI-assisted full body mole mapping — both available at Manningham Skin Cancer Clinic — are improving the ability to detect suspicious lesions at their earliest, most treatable stage.

You can learn more about how this technology works in our guide to early detection of melanoma through mole mapping or by reading about what a mole screening involves and why it matters.

What You Can Do: Prevention and Screening

Given Australia’s skin cancer burden, a proactive approach to prevention and early detection is not optional — it is essential. Here is what the evidence recommends:

• Wear SPF50+ sunscreen daily on all exposed skin — not just at the beach. Reapply every two hours when outdoors.
• Wear protective clothing (long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats) during high UV hours (10am-3pm).
• Avoid tanning beds — classified as Group 1 carcinogens by the IARC.
• Check your own skin monthly using the ABCDE method (Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter, Evolving).
• Book a professional skin check annually — or every 6 months if you are high risk. Manningham Skin Cancer Clinic offers full body skin cancer screening with no GP referral required.
• Know your risk factors — family history, fair skin, previous skin cancers and heavy UV exposure all increase your risk.
• Consider full body mole mapping if you have multiple moles or a family history of melanoma — it creates a photographic baseline to detect future changes.

If you have noticed a changing mole, a lesion that bleeds or fails to heal, or simply have not had a skin check in over a year, book an appointment at Manningham Skin Cancer Clinic. Our consulting specialists perform biopsies and all skin cancer treatments in-clinic — no referral needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Cancer in Australia

Related Reading