The ACT Government is rolling out free period product dispensers in every public school, following a successful trial of dispensers in 31 ACT public schools.
Dispensers are now installed in over 90 of the ACT’s 93 public schools, in student-friendly locations, including in girls’, gender-neutral and accessible bathrooms, and other wellbeing spaces.
The full rollout will be completed over the next three weeks.
The dispensers make pads available for free in primary schools, and pads and tampons in high schools, P–10 schools, and colleges. This is in addition to period products continuing to be freely available in public school front offices.
Feedback from students at trial sites underscored the importance of being able to access products at school with dignity and privacy, and in more accessible locations.
The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce legislation to make free period products available to students, and this latest initiative is part of the ACT Government’s campaign to end period poverty.
The Period Products and Facilities (Access) Act 2023 recognises that access to period products is essential for participation in education and community life.
The rollout of dispensers in public schools is a key step in implementing the ACT’s broader vision of improving access to free period products in public facilities across the ACT, while upholding dignity and privacy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA:
“Period products should be free and easy to access for students, and with dispensers now rolling out in every public school – they will be.
“We know from the trial that students have been able to get the pads and tampons they need freely and privately, with dignity and confidence, and in a way that helps them fully engage with their education and school life.
“The ACT was the first jurisdiction to guarantee students access to free period products, and I pay tribute to the advocacy of Suzanne Orr and the leadership of Yvette Berry in getting this done.
“I also acknowledge the contribution of six former Canberra High School students and their teacher, Laura Gibbs, whose initiative in 2021 and 2022 led to a successful period product dispenser pilot for their school.
“Their advocacy directly inspired the ACT Government’s nation-leading legislation and informed the wider rollout in ACT public schools.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women, Caitlin Tough MLA:
“Access to period products is a basic necessity, not a luxury. No one should have to miss out on education, work or participating in community life because they cannot access the products they need.
“The installation of free period product dispensers in all ACT public schools is an important milestone, but we are also committed to progressively ensuring access in the public spaces Canberrans use every day.
“By improving access to free period products, we are helping reduce financial pressure on individuals and families while supporting health, dignity and inclusion across our community.”
