SunkatThe best UV index apps in Australia
Australia has some of the highest UV on earth and good free data from ARPANSA and the Bureau of Meteorology. The question is which app turns it into something useful.
Short answer: For the official live UV and daily sun protection times, SunSmart Global UV (free). For an hourly UV forecast inside a weather app you already use, BOM Weather or WillyWeather (free). For minutes by skin type and a timer, Sunkat (our app) or UVLens (free).
At a glance
| App | Best for | Platforms | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| SunSmart Global UV | Official live UV and protection times | iPhone and Android | Free |
| BOM Weather | UV forecast in your everyday weather app | iPhone and Android | Free, no ads |
| WillyWeather | UV alerts with surf and tide info | iPhone and Android | Free, with in-app purchases |
| Sunkat | Minutes per side by skin type, with a timer | iPhone (iOS 17+) and Android (7.0+) | Free download, first sessions free, then subscription |
| UVLens | Free burn time by skin type | iPhone and Android | Free |
| Apple Weather (built in) | Quick UV check on iPhone | iPhone | Free |
We checked each app's Australian App Store and Google Play listing. Two older Australian UV apps, OzSun UV Alert and seeUV, have not been updated in years, so we left them out. ARPANSA itself has no app, but its website shows live UV from its monitoring stations, updated every minute.
1. SunSmart Global UV
From Cancer Council Victoria. It combines the Bureau of Meteorology forecast with live ARPANSA UV readings, shows the daily sun protection times (when UV is 3 or above), sends alerts, and works worldwide in nine languages. The data is the best available; reviews mostly complain about the app itself.
- Live ARPANSA data
- Sun protection times
- Free
- Low ratings
- No burn time by skin type
2. BOM Weather
The Bureau of Meteorology's app includes an hourly UV forecast for 72 hours and widgets. Its listing does not mention burn times or live UV readings.
- Official forecast
- No ads
- Forecast only, no burn time
3. WillyWeather
WillyWeather shows an hourly UV forecast and can alert you when UV reaches extreme. Popular with beachgoers because tides, swell and wind sit on the same screen.
- Extreme UV alerts
- Beach data
- Ads on Android
4. Sunkat
Sunkat turns the live UV and cloud cover where you are into minutes per side for your skin type and sunscreen, then times the session. Its limits stop well before redness, which matters at Australian summer UV of 12 to 14, when fair skin can start to redden in about 10 minutes.
- Burn limit by skin type
- Timer
- iPhone and Android
- Subscription after the free sessions
5. UVLens
Made in New Zealand. A UV forecast plus a burn time from a quick skin-type quiz, a sunscreen reminder and a widget, all free.
- Free
- Burn time
- No session timer
6. Apple Weather (built in)
Shows the hourly UV index for the next ten days. Combine it with the burn time calculator for minutes by skin type.
Australian UV in numbers
Sydney and Perth reach a clear-sky midday UV of about 12 in December and January, and northern Australia is higher. At UV 12 fair skin can start to redden after about 11 minutes, which is why Cancer Council recommends protection whenever UV is 3 or above, for most of the year in most of the country.
Frequently asked
What is the official UV app in Australia?
SunSmart Global UV, from Cancer Council Victoria, uses Bureau of Meteorology forecasts and live ARPANSA readings. It is free on iPhone and Android.
Does the BOM app show the UV index?
Yes. BOM Weather shows an hourly UV forecast for the next 72 hours.
Where can I see live UV in Australia?
ARPANSA's website shows live UV from its monitoring stations in major cities, updated every minute. SunSmart Global UV shows the same readings in an app.
Your burn limit at Aussie UV
Free to download on iPhone and Android, with your first sessions included.
Sunkat is our app, so we have put it in the list and said what it does and does not do. The others are described from their App Store and Google Play listings. Ratings and prices were checked on 27 October 2026 and change often.