The ACT government is expanding access to free period products with dispensers to be installed in more than 30 ACT public schools as part of a pilot program to end what it calls “period poverty”.

The government said the dispensers would be installed in student-friendly locations in the participating schools, including in girls’, gender-neutral and accessible bathrooms. The dispensers would make pads available in primary schools, and pads and tampons in high schools, P-10 schools and colleges.

There would also be other access points at school, such as wellbeing spaces and classrooms. Period products would continue to be freely available in public school front offices as they have been for some time.

Posters and educational materials would let students know about these changes and would also help to break down unhelpful stigmas that exist about menstruation.

The ACT government would collect feedback from students and staff at participating schools, as well as product usage data.

Minister for Women Marisa Paterson said: “The ACT is leading the nation in the fight to end period poverty. It’s unacceptable that menstruation should ever be a barrier to full participation in school life.

“By installing free dispensers in school bathrooms, we ensure students can access period products with dignity and confidence. This means they can focus on their education and extracurricular activities without unnecessary obstacles.”

She said that in addition to schools, the pilot program would also include Canberra Hospital, University of Canberra Hospital, Community Health Centres and Walk-in Centres. Dispensers in Canberra Health Services locations were expected to be fully operational by the end of August.

The ACT is the first jurisdiction in Australia to introduce legislation guaranteeing access to free period products for students, following the passage of the Period Products and Facilities (Access) Act 2023. The new law requires that schools provide these products in a way that upholds students’ dignity and privacy.