Outdoor workers and skin cancer in Australia: are our workplace policies sufficient?

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer globally, and outdoor workers represent a key high-risk population due to prolonged occupational sun exposure. Despite a robust legislative framework mandating comprehensive workplace sun protection, evidence indicates suboptimal implementation and compliance in Australian workplaces. This perspective critically analyses the documented gap between policy and practice, examining the individual, cultural and organisational barriers to effective sun protection. We argue that current workplace policies are insufficient without rigorous enforcement, adequate penalties and a genuine shift in workplace culture. Furthermore, we highlight the pivotal role of occupational health physicians and general practitioners in bridging this gap through patient identification, targeted education, and early skin cancer detection. Closing the policy-practice gap requires a concerted, multi-pronged effort from policymakers, employers, workers, and clinicians to move beyond mere compliance and foster a culture of sun safety.