Pollen levels and your health
How to check the pollen count in Canberra and what to do if you are sensitive to pollen.
This page explains how to check the pollen count in Canberra.
It also has advice on what to do if you are sensitive to pollen.
Check the pollen count and forecast for the ACT
The ACT pollen season typically runs from September to December each year.
Tree pollen is common from September to October.
Grass pollen is common from October to December.
There are 2 ways to check the pollen count in Canberra:
- using the AirRater app. The app provides users with up-to-date information on pollen and smoke pollution in the ACT.
- using the Canberra Pollen Count and Forecast Service which provides a daily pollen count and forecast of grass pollen levels in the air around Canberra for the next 6 days.
The pollen levels between AirRater and Canberra Pollen Count may vary. AirRater measures total pollens, and the Canberra Pollen Count and Forecast Service only measures grass pollens.
Health risks associated with pollen
Pollen allergy, asthma and hay fever
If you are allergic to pollen, you can get itchy and inflamed eyes and nasal passages. This reaction is called hay fever or allergic rhinitis.
Pollen can also enter your lungs and lead to asthma symptoms.
Go to HealthDirect to read more about pollen allergy.
Thunderstorm asthma
High grass pollen levels together with a specific type of thunderstorm can cause epidemic thunderstorm asthma. While these events are rare, they can be sudden, serious and even life threatening.
Thunderstorm asthma can affect anyone. People with asthma or hay fever – especially people who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever – may be at high risk.
There is a higher risk of thunderstorm asthma during spring and early summer. In the ACT, this period is from October to December.
Go to HealthDirect to read more about thunderstorm asthma.
Pollen health advice
If you are allergic to pollen:
- talk to your doctor about an action plan
- carry any medications recommended in your action plan
- monitor pollen levels daily
- stay indoors on high pollen days
- know the symptoms of thunderstorm asthma
You can still have asthma or hay fever symptoms even if the pollen level forecasts are low.
If your usual asthma treatment is not effective, seek urgent medical advice.
In the event of a medical emergency, call triple zero 000.