School girls in Victoria are getting free pads and tampons next year

Free pads and tampons will be available to girls at Victoria's state schools next year as part of a $20 million government program and election promise.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews seen alongside students at University High in Melbourne, Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Source: AAP

Girls at Victorian state schools will be able to get free pads and tampons on campus from next year.

The $20.7 million scheme is being rolled out this week, with the sanitary items to be made available in every public primary, secondary and specialist school by the middle of next year.

Girls at one of the first campuses to get the pads and tampons, University High School at Parkville in Melbourne's inner-north, say it'll make a big difference.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews seen alongside students and staff at University High in Melbourne, Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Source: AAP

"If, unexpectedly, we do get our period, it's really good to have the resources necessary so we can deal with this and move on our life," one year eight student who did not want to be named said.

"We don't want our period to be stopping us from doing the rest of our actives, like sport and school."

The Andrews Labor government scheme was announced during last year's state election campaign.

Schools will also get free bins for sanitary products under the program.

The funding of $20.7 million is spread over four years.

"There's many girls and young women who can't access the sort of pads and tampons, sanitary products, easily," Premier Daniel Andrews told journalists on Wednesday

"This is about dignity, it's about inclusivity."