Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Labor promises free tampons in Victorian schools

Victorian Labor is promising free pads and tampons in state schools to manage embarrassment and help the cost of living.

Victoria Labor are promising to provide sanitary products in schools

Victoria Labor are promising to provide sanitary products in schools. Source: AAP

All Victorian state schools will have free pads and tampons in female, unisex and accessible bathrooms under a re-elected Labor government.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the program would be an Australian first from term three next year.

"We want to break down the stigma of menstruation and ensure it does not impact on a student's ability to be comfortable at school and ready to learn," she said in a statement.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy says her government wants to break down the stigma of menstruation.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy says her government wants to break down the stigma of menstruation. Source: AAP

"This is about giving female students the dignity they deserve, and helping families with the cost of living along the way."

The government says students who do not have access to sanitary products often cannot concentrate in class, may not feel comfortable doing physical activity, or may miss school altogether, creating unnecessary stress and potentially delaying changes of products, increasing the risk of toxic shock or cervical cancer.

"Labor believes that tampons and pads are as basic and necessary as toilet paper and soap," the party said in a statement.

The Department of Education and Training will work with schools to determine the best method to dispense the items.

Similar moves have happened in the United States and Scotland.


2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world