Crossword Genius

Australian individual, a gas! (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ozone

'a gas' is the definition.
(ozone is a kind of gas)

'australian individual' is the wordplay.
'australian' becomes 'Oz' (nickname for Australia).
'individual' becomes 'one' (an individual is one person).
'oz'+'one'='OZONE'

(Other definitions for ozone that I've seen before include "Condensed oxygen; sea air" , "Toxic form of oxygen" , "Atmospheric gas shielding us from ultraviolet radiation" , "Form of oxygen, O3" , "Atmospheric layer in some danger" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app