Simple ultraviolet light technology is showing promise as a frontline defence against respiratory infections in aged care facilities, with new research pointing to a measurable drop in airborne virus transmission.
A team of scientists from Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI) and SAHMRI has adapted germicidal UV (GUV) appliances to target airborne pathogens in residential care settings. Their study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, trialled the technology in both metropolitan and rural facilities across South Australia.
Installed in communal areas, the appliances produced a 12.2 percent reduction in respiratory infections, equating to approximately 0.3 fewer cases per facility each week. The result marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of smarter, passive infection control solutions.
Turning the air into an asset
“These germicidal ultraviolet appliances are easy to install, cost effective and work in concert with existing infection control protocols,” lead author Dr Andrew Shoubridge from Flinders University and SAHMRI’s Microbiome and Host Health Programme says.
“When built into the daily operation of aged care facilities, they could help curb the impact of seasonal viruses and safeguard against future outbreaks.”
GUV appliances use UV-C light to deactivate airborne bacteria and viruses. In this trial, the team used commercially available units from LAF Technologies, which are already in use in hospitals and other clinical settings. The appliances are ceiling or wall-mounted, compatible with HVAC systems and safe for human exposure.
Professor Geraint Rogers, who led the concept development for the study, says the impact could be profound.
“COVID-19 outbreaks in aged care have been devastating, significantly raising the risk of hospitalisation and mortality,” he says. “This trial shows we can reduce that burden without disrupting daily life for residents.”
Proven tools in the real world
The two-year randomised trial compared infection rates in high-traffic communal areas, with and without the UV appliances. Participating facilities included Barmera Health Service, Allambi Residential Care (Eldercare) and Helping Hand’s Lightsview and Golden Grove homes.
While short-term snapshots showed little change, long-term monitoring revealed a sustained reduction in respiratory infections, a result that researchers believe strengthens the case for broader uptake.
With over 250,000 Australians living in aged care, Professor Rogers says the potential benefits of wide-scale adoption are clear, not only for the elderly but across healthcare settings more broadly.
“We now have a proven, scalable way to lower infection risks. The case for investment is compelling.”
UV-C innovation gains ground beyond healthcare
Elsewhere, Australian innovators are exploring ultraviolet light as a cleaner, smarter alternative to chemicals in farming. Ocean Grove–based J Robotics has developed a precision platform that uses targeted UV-C light to treat grapevines for powdery mildew, eliminating the need for fungicides and helping growers work towards organic certification.
The system delivers UV-C treatment at night, when biological conditions are ideal and there is no risk of human exposure. By disrupting fungal DNA and enhancing natural defences, it avoids issues of resistance and residue that come with chemical spraying.
“We’re giving growers a path to chemical-free production that actually works in Australian conditions,” says J Robotics CEO John Burtt. “Powdery mildew is one of the most costly diseases in winegrowing, and we’ve created a reliable alternative that supports organic certification.”
The platform combines surgical UV delivery with AI-powered forecasting and is already in trial with wine producers across Victoria. Future versions will support insect release and other regenerative tools.
J Robotics is currently a finalist in the Propel-AIR accelerator, Australia’s first AI and robotics commercialisation program. The company is in the running for a residency at MassRobotics in Boston, home to leading global labs in robotics and automation.
From hospitals to vineyards, UV-C is proving its versatility. In every context, the goal is the same: reduce reliance on chemicals, improve health outcomes and enable more sustainable systems.
