Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health

Free pads and tampons. Period.

Pads and tampons aren’t a luxury. They are essential to health and wellbeing. People should be able to access them whenever and wherever they need to. That’s why the Victorian Government is making free pads and tampons available across Victoria.

Pads and tampons aren’t a luxury. They are essential to health and wellbeing. People should be able to access them whenever and wherever they need to. That’s why the Victorian Government is making free pads and tampons available across Victoria.

In your language: العربية (Arabic) | 中文简体 (Simplified Chinese) | 中文繁體 (Traditional Chinese) | हिंदी Hindi) | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Announcing the free pads and tampons program

Our nation-leading $23 million commitment to provide free pads and tampons across Victoria is now in its stage one rollout phase.

The installation of Melbourne’s first free pads and tampons vending machines marks an important milestone for Victorians who lack access to the period products they need.

50 machines will be installed across Melbourne during this phase. We will closely monitor vending machine usage and accessibility. This data will help us launch the wider program more effectively. As part of the wider program, each local government area will have machines installed in 4 or more locations.

In your language: العربية (Arabic) | 中文简体 (Simplified Chinese) | 中文繁體 (Traditional Chinese) | हिंदी Hindi) | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

Announcing the free pads and tampons program

Our nation-leading $23 million commitment to provide free pads and tampons across Victoria is now in its stage one rollout phase.

The installation of Melbourne’s first free pads and tampons vending machines marks an important milestone for Victorians who lack access to the period products they need.

50 machines will be installed across Melbourne during this phase. We will closely monitor vending machine usage and accessibility. This data will help us launch the wider program more effectively. As part of the wider program, each local government area will have machines installed in 4 or more locations.

Find free pads and tampons near you

More vending machines will soon be installed at public sites across metropolitan Melbourne. These sites include public libraries and health centres, TAFEs and major cultural institutions.

Throughout 2025, over 1,450 additional machines will be installed at up to 700 sites across the whole of Victoria, helping people across the state gain access to the pads and tampons they need to lead fuller, healthier lives.

To find products near your area, enter your location in the search box.

Help with vending machines

The menstrual cycle

The four phases of the menstrual cycle are menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.

The menstrual cycle is a natural process. It is a complex cycle controlled by female hormones that cause regular bleeding (periods).

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The menstrual cycle

The four phases of the menstrual cycle are menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.

The menstrual cycle is a natural process. It is a complex cycle controlled by female hormones that cause regular bleeding (periods).

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1 in 5 have to improvise on period products due to cost

1 in 5 have to improvise on period products due to cost

Women's health and wellbeing program

Bridging the gap in women’s healthcare – a program of work to change the way we treat women’s health issues in Victoria, including:

  • Opening new women’s health clinics
  • Establishing more sexual and reproductive health hubs
  • Improving care and service delivery for girls and women experiencing pain
  • Establishing a mobile women's health clinic in regional and remote Victoria
  • Delivering greater access to care, to help diagnose and treat endometriosis.
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Women's health and wellbeing program

Bridging the gap in women’s healthcare – a program of work to change the way we treat women’s health issues in Victoria, including:

  • Opening new women’s health clinics
  • Establishing more sexual and reproductive health hubs
  • Improving care and service delivery for girls and women experiencing pain
  • Establishing a mobile women's health clinic in regional and remote Victoria
  • Delivering greater access to care, to help diagnose and treat endometriosis.
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Reviewed on: 05-12-2024