Free menstrual products will be available at education institutions, TAFE providers, hospitals and community centres. Photo: Annika Gordon.
The ACT Government has committed $2.8 million in the 2023/24 mid-year budget for the rollout of free period products ahead of the start of nation-leading legislation passed earlier this year.
After the Period Products and Facilities (Access) Act 2023 passed in June, the ACT became the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce legislation requiring the government to provide free menstrual products at designated and accessible places.
These locations will include schools, tertiary education institutions, TAFE providers, hospitals and community centres.
The new law will also ensure information on menstrual hygiene is publicly available in a range of languages.
While access to free menstrual products in public locations was pledged as a policy in the 2022 Victorian state election, the ACT is the first jurisdiction to enshrine it into law. It follows in the footsteps of Scotland, the first country in the world to make period products free.
In an update issued on 19 December, the ACT Government said the project would be delivered in stages so that a rigorous and transparent procurement process for dispensers to be installed in public places could be undertaken.
Minister for Women Yvette Berry said this was an important initiative to reduce period poverty in the ACT and help people to manage their periods in a safe and healthy way.
“Students in ACT public schools and some ACT public health services can already access free period products,” Minister Berry said.
“Free period products are also already available in the Child and Family Centres located in Gungahlin, West Belconnen and Tuggeranong and the Child Development Service in Holder.
“Over the coming months, we will be providing regular updates about the availability of free period products, age-appropriate information in languages other than English and the outcome of the tender process.
“Period products will be provided in an increasing number of locations over the coming months and years.
“We welcome expressions of interest from community organisations interested in becoming a location where free period products and information will be available in the future.”
Labor MLA Suzanne Orr, who introduced the bill, said she was excited to see the ACT tackle period poverty and be the first to do so through law.
“I am pleased that here in the ACT we are providing period products free of charge and ensure that crucial information on menstrual hygiene is available to the community,” Ms Orr said.
“The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to put the provision of period products into law and I would encourage all other states and territories to be inspired by my bill so that no one who menstruates is ever in need.
“While it is great to see that period products will be freely available at schools, hospitals and walk-in centres as part of the first stage of implementation, I am eager for the rollout to continue and include other accessible locations, such as libraries and other community hubs.
“We still have more to do to help tackle period poverty in the community, but I am proud of this important first milestone and look forward to continuing advocating for this issue in the future.”
For more information on free period products in the ACT, visit the Community Services website.
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