Victorians will soon be able to access free pads and tampons in every part of the state.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins has announced the next 90 venues across Melbourne that will install vending machines that dispense free period products – including in shopping centres, a new initiative in addition to the existing rollout in public places.
The first shopping centres to receive machines are:
- Greensborough Plaza
- Pacific Epping
- Pacific Werribee
- Bayside
- Westfield Knox
- Broadmeadows Central
- Chadstone
- Northland Shopping Centre
- Highpoint
- Watergardens Shopping Centre
Shopping centres are among Victoria’s most-visited public spaces, making them ideal locations for expanding access to essential hygiene products.
The new locations form part of the government’s statewide rollout of 1,500 smart and battery-operated machines in up to 700 venues – including shopping centres libraries, hospitals, TAFEs, staffed train stations and cultural institutions.
Women across Victoria have already saved thousands of dollars, with more than 25,000 packs of pads and tampons dispensed in the first six months of the program.
Victoria is the first state or territory in Australia to provide free pads and tampons in every government school – to reduce stigma, keep kids in class and ensure students never miss learning because they don’t have access to period products.
Access to pads and tampons is a basic need, but one in five women and girls reported struggling to afford period products.
Periods are a part of life – but too often, those who can’t afford period products are left feeling embarrassed and excluded. Lack of access affects physical and emotional wellbeing, and can impact attendance at work, school, sport and other activities.
A full list of current locations is available and will be updated in real time at freepadsandtampons.vic.gov.au.
