Get involved! How you can help improve shade in your community
Preventing skin cancer is super important.
Increasing access to shade is a practical way that communities around Australia can reduce skin cancer risk. MSCAN wants to see more shade structures in high-risk public spaces Australians use every day so people can enjoy the outdoors while being sun safe. This includes in playgrounds and schools, and at community sporting facilities.
MSCAN wants your help to create this change, starting right here, in our own communities.
In late 2025, MSCAN launched Australia’s first National Skin Cancer Scorecard. One of the key findings was that Australia can do far more to improve shade availability in high-risk public areas.
That’s why MSCAN has developed a range of resources to help you take action, with a clear focus on improving shade availability where it’s needed most.
We are encouraging you to write to your Council, your local member in the state parliament and your local member in the federal parliament to ask for practical action.
How to ask for better shade in your local area
Melanoma and skin cancer is a relevant and important issue at all levels of government in Australia – for the federal government, state governments and at a local level – where politicians represent the people of Australia and can influence and implement change.
To ask your representatives to help us get Australia skin serious:
- Step 1: Enter your details** (see Google form below)
- Step 2: Find your local member/s
- Step 3: Download the template letter
Find your local member
Find your Federal Government local member.
Find your local member in your State/ Territory Government and Local Council
For local Council Maps and Boundaries, see Australian Local Government Association.
| State Parliament | Local Council |
|---|---|
| NSW State | NSW Local Council |
| Victoria State | Victoria Local Council |
| South Australia State | South Australia Local Council |
| Western Australia State | Western Australia Local Council |
| Queensland State | Queensland Local Council |
| Tasmania State | Tasmania Local Council |
| Northern Territory Government | Northern Territory Local Council |
| ACT Parliament |
Victorian state election
The Victorian state election will take place on 28 November 2026.
In the lead up to the state election, Victorians have an opportunity to ask their political candidates if they are serious about skin cancer. What is their approach to reducing melanoma and skin cancer? Shade structures might be a good place to start.
MSCAN has prepared a letter to candidates which can be sent via email or in the post.
For all other states, use the below template letter.
Why shade?
Sun protection is not only about sunscreen and hats. It is about creating safer outdoor spaces where Australians can thrive, play and relax without unnecessary UV exposure.
We need more shade structures at schools, sporting clubs and public spaces.
Skin damage accumulates over a lifetime, and skin cancer prevention needs to start early.
That is why MSCAN is calling for more shade structures in the places that we all use every day.
In Australia, up to 95% of melanomas are attributable to overexposure to UV radiation. Shade is a crucial part of the solution.
The statistics are compelling
- High sun exposure in the first 10 years of life more than doubles melanoma risk.
- Intense sun exposure during each decade up to 29 years of age increases risk of melanoma by more than one-and-a-half times.
Help MSCAN get Australia skin serious by writing to your government representatives today.
More shade today means less skin cancer tomorrow.
