School-based educational programs are identified as an effective means to increase awareness and promote sun protective behaviours in young people. Regardless, the adolescent age group are difficult to influence, somewhat resistant to sun protection and esteem tanned skin. The ability of Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) to develop sun safety education for adolescents was tested at a teacher education institution in Western Australia. More particularly, to create understandings of their ability to mobilise health literacy in sun safety education. Thirty PSTs studying secondary education developed three consecutive lesson plans for use with adolescent students of Year 7. The three lesson plans comprised learning activities (n=444), which were categorised as teaching either functional, interactive or critical health literacy. Results indicate a significantly greater than expected frequency of functional activities, suggesting that PSTs need specific training to support the planning and development of teaching and learning that promotes critical health literacy skills.