A proposal from Standards Australia wants sunscreens that are rated at SPF 50+ to be available for consumers despite criticisms from other groups.

The proposal would raise the sun protection factor (SPF) from 30+ to 50+ and would give Australians more protection from the sun.

The chief executive of Standards Australia, Colin Blair, said in a statement: "They say Australia is the sunburnt country, so this draft standard reflects genuine public interest and ultimately consumer demand."

Skin cancer is prevalent in Australia with Australians four times more likely to develop skin cancer than any other form of cancer.

Despite the added SPF count the Cancer Council has remained ambivalent about the proposal. According to Professor Ian Olver from the council the new standard doesn't offer much more protection than SPF 30+.

"It's more important that we look at whether sunscreens are broad spectrum, and insist that people reapply them regularly, than the difference between 30 and 50."

The increased SPF level could lull people to a false sense of security when it doesn't offer a higher rate of protection. People should be more vigilant about re-applying their sunscreen than the SPF number. It is also far more important for consumers to check if their sunscreen blocks both types of UV rays.

"In terms of standards, the fact that the sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB light is probably more important than the small gain you'd get between 30 and 50," Professor Olver said.

The Cancer Council agrees with the proposed new standards in banning such terms as sunblock and water proof, because they may be misleading to consumers.

Colin Blair, the head of Standards Australia, says the change is needed because people routinely underestimate the amount of sunscreen they need.

"They're not putting on the correct amounts. At 30 you're obviously getting more exposure, but if you're not putting on the correct amounts, at 50 at least you're getting a, you know, an increased protection than you would be if you're not putting on the incorrect amounts at SPF30," he said.