Due to Australia's climate and position on the globe, we have some of the harshest conditions in the world. This makes any kind of 'tanning' very dangerous ad is strongly advised against by every health body in the country.
That said, it's so important to have monitored exposure to sunlight in order for the body to absorb the required amounts of vitamin D.
I have some relevant material from
Cancer.org.au
During summer, the majority of people can maintain adequate vitamin D levels from a few minutes of exposure to sunlight on their face, arms and hands or the equivalent area of skin on either side of the peak UV periods (10am to 3pm) on most days of the week.
In winter in the southern parts of Australia, where UV radiation levels are less intense, people may need about two to three hours of sunlight to the face, arms and hands, or equivalent area of skin, spread over a week to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.
In winter in northern parts of Australia, people will continue to maintain adequate vitamin D levels going about their day-to-day activities, so it is not necessary to deliberately seek UV radiation exposure.
Living in Eastern Australia I am exposed to very high levels of UV on a daily basis, in Summer or Winter. I wear SPF30+ every day on my arms, face, neck and hands.
I use a lie-down solarium bed for 6-8 minutes each fortnight as treatment for my eczema (skin condition). This is
controlled in every sense of the word, and does not result in tanning colour - it just gives my skin enough vitamin D to avoid the symptoms of eczema (scaly, dry and bleeding skin).
I have used every treatment under the sun (pun intended

), and aside from steroid cream this is the only thing that consistently and completely works for me.

I hate having to do it, but I prefer being able to subject my body to a mesurable amount of UVA and UVB rays instead of risking trying to obtain that same amount from sitting in the sun.. Plus there's the issue of finding a location where I can expose my entire body to the sun?