Protect your skin with a FREE skin cancer check on campus
With Australia's sunny climate, protecting your skin is something worth making a habit of. National Skin Cancer Action Week running from 16–22 November 2026, is a great reminder to make sun safety part of your everyday routine and get to know your skin so you can spot changes early.
Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Skin cancer accounts for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers in Australia, and more than 2,000 Australians lose their lives to the disease every year. However, most skin cancers can be prevented through simple, everyday sun protection habits.
UV radiation can start to damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes when the UV Index is 3 or above. Knowing when to protect yourself and getting familiar with your skin can make a real difference.
As part of Deakin's Student Health and Wellbeing Framework, this campaign supports your personal safety by helping you understand your skin cancer risk, protect yourself from harmful UV radiation and recognise potential warning signs early.
Get a FREE skin cancer check at Deakin
In partnership with Bupa Wellness, Deakin is offering free Level 2 skin cancer checks for students during National Skin Cancer Action Week at the Burwood and Waurn Ponds campuses.
Appointments are limited and fill up quickly, so book early to secure your spot! Once all appointments are taken, a waitlist will be available if you'd still like the opportunity to attend.
For security and multi-factor authentication purposes, you'll need a free Bupa account to make your appointment. If you don't already have one, you'll be prompted to create an account during the booking process.
Burwood Campus
Dates: Monday 16, Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19 November 2026
Time: 9.30am–4.30 pm
Location: Health and Wellbeing Centre, Building LC, Level 1
Waurn Ponds Campus
Dates: Monday 16, Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 November 2026
Time: 9.30am–4.30 pm
Location: Health and Wellbeing Centre, Building JB, Level 2
What to expect at your skin check
Your appointment is a Level 2 skin cancer check provided by a Bupa trained professional who will use a dermatoscope (a specialised magnifying tool) to examine specific areas of your skin, particularly those exposed to the sun.
You can choose to undress to your underwear and wear a disposable gown during the check, however removing your clothing isn't necessary. Your comfort and privacy are important, and you can discuss any concerns with the health professional performing your check.
After your appointment, you'll receive:
- A results card containing a skin cancer risk assessment tool and additional sun safety information.
- A recommendation letter, if further medical attention is advised, so you can follow up with your doctor.
As a little bonus, every student who attends will also receive a free sun safety pack!
The pack contains sunscreen, lip care, a Sundictator to help you monitor your time in the sun, a skin cancer awareness card and a sun safety factsheet.
Stay SunSmart: five ways to protect your skin
A great place to start looking after your skin is by making sun protection part of your everyday routine. Whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or above, remember the five S's:
- Slip on sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen 20 minutes before heading outdoors. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, sweating or towelling off.
- Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that protects your face, head, neck and ears.
- Seek shade under trees, umbrellas or awnings.
- Slide on close-fitting sunglasses that meet Australian and New Zealand standards.
Sunscreen shouldn't be your only line of defence. Combining all five forms of protection helps keep your skin safe from harmful UV radiation.
Get to know your skin
It's just as important to know what's normal for your skin. Check regularly for new spots or changes in the size, shape or colour of existing spots. Look out for sores that don't heal or anything that looks or feels unusual.
Don't ignore something that concerns you. If you notice a change, make an appointment with your GP. You don't need to wait until your next routine check to get it looked at.
You can also download the free SunSmart Global UV app to check local UV levels and know when it's time to protect yourself.
Want to learn more?
There's plenty more you can do to look after your skin. The National Skin Cancer Action Week webpage brings together helpful resources to help you:
- Learn more about sun safety, UV radiation and how to reduce your skin cancer risk.
- Find out how to check your skin, recognise changes and understand your options for professional skin checks.
- Find a skin cancer clinic near you if you'd like to arrange a professional skin check outside of Deakin's free clinics.