Solariums Still Used Illegally Despite Health Risks

By Mikaela Ortolan

Stateline

Topic: Health

Thu 11 Jun 2026 at 5:23am

Solariums are banned for commercial use, but people can still find and book them online.

It's easy to find solariums online and book a session, even though it's against the law.

Jess has been using solariums from the underground market for about eight years.

Jess uses solariums to look good, like going to the gym or getting botox.

She usually doesn't use solariums in summer, but books a session once a week when it's cooler.

Jess gets her skin checked regularly.

You can find solariums on social media and book a session by sending a private message.

Some solariums are in secret locations, like someone's home or a hidden room in a business.

Jess uses solariums about once a week, for around 10 minutes each time.

A melanoma survivor is shocked that solariums are still being used.

Victoria banned solariums in 2015 after a woman died from skin cancer.

All states except the Northern Territory have banned solariums.

Victoria has taken away over 40 tanning beds and fined 19 people for running solariums.

A woman named Clare Oliver died from melanoma and her death led to the ban on solariums.

Some people who run solariums are given community service or have to behave well.

One person was fined $18,000 for running a solarium.

Another person was fined $2,000 for running a solarium.

A company was fined $52,000 for running a solarium.

No one has been charged with running a solarium in Victoria for two years.

The Victorian government says it will keep stopping people from running solariums.

The NSW government has started two cases against people running solariums.

Between 2013 and 2025, NSW gave out 24 fines for people running solariums.

NSW increased the fine for running a solarium to $10,000 for businesses and $5,000 for individuals.

Solariums give out more UV radiation than the sun.

It's against the law to advertise solariums on social media in NSW.

Not many people have been charged with running solariums in other states.

South Australia has charged two people with running solariums.

Tasmania doesn't have any records of people being charged with running solariums.

Other states say they haven't charged anyone with running solariums.

A melanoma survivor named Jay Allen is shocked by the underground solarium industry.

Jay Allen said people are putting themselves at risk by using solariums.

Jay Allen was diagnosed with melanoma at 32 and had to have surgery and treatment.

The doctor told Jay Allen that using solariums might have caused his melanoma.

Jay Allen had to have multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

Jay Allen used to use solariums three to four times a week.

Jay Allen said using solariums was a mistake and he almost killed himself.

Influencer culture is contributing to the problem of solarium use.

Over 2,000 people die from skin cancer every year in Australia.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia.

Two out of three Australians will get skin cancer at some point.

Using solariums increases the risk of getting skin cancer, including melanoma.

The ban on solariums in Australia has saved lives.

But some people are still using solariums and putting themselves at risk.

Influencer culture and social media are making it hard to educate people about the risks.

Craig Sinclair is concerned that many young people want to get a tan.

There's been a shift in the last few years, with more people promoting tanning on social media.

It's especially important to protect children and teenagers from the risks of tanning.

Grant McArthur, a medical oncologist, agrees that a whole generation has missed out on vital messaging about the risks of tanning.

Tanning is dangerous and can damage the DNA in skin cells.

We need to look at social media carefully and counter the promotion of tanning.

No tan is worth dying for, says Dr McArthur.

Dr McArthur says more needs to be done to stop people using solariums.

Governments need to use the law to prevent the use of solariums and educate the public.

Jay Allen is on a mission to spread awareness about the risks of solariums.

Jess knows about the risks of solariums, but still uses them.

Jess thinks she's not at risk because she gets her skin checked regularly.

But Dr McArthur says there's no safe way to use a solarium.

Solariums deliver intense UV radiation that can damage skin cells.

Jay Allen had to have surgery and treatment after being diagnosed with melanoma.

Jay Allen now travels to regional areas and provides free skin checks.

Jay Allen looks back and regrets using solariums.

Jay Allen was diagnosed with throat cancer at 45 and had to have chemotherapy and radiation.

Jay Allen says using solariums wasn't worth the risk.

Jay Allen has founded the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation and drives a truck to conduct free skin checks.

Jay Allen thinks there should be stricter fines for people who run solariums.

Thu 11 Jun 2026 at 5:23am

Thu 11 Jun 2026 at 9:26am

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