It's the sunburnt country, but an astonishing 92 per cent of Australians do not know they need to start protecting themselves from the sun's harsh rays when the UV level reaches three or above, new Cancer Council research shows.

Despite widespread awareness that ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer, most Australians didn't know they must start "slipping on protective clothing, slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, seeking shade and sliding on sunglasses" when the UV level hit 3, which at present occurs about 10.30am.

"You should take all five steps at the UV index value of 3 because that's the level at which skin and eyes can start getting damaged and the little amounts of damage can add up and lead to cancer," Heather Walker, chair of Cancer Council's National Skin Cancer Committee, said.

Serene Amaral from Waterloo applies some sunscreen at Coogee Beach on Sunday, when temperatures hit 38 degrees. Credit:Ben Rushton

UV radiation is a known carcinogen and the sun's UV rays are thought to account for 95 per cent of melanoma cases in Australia. Nearly 2000 Australians are expected to die from melanoma this year.