Victorians will soon be able to access free pads and tampons at even more of the state’s most iconic venues thanks to an expansion of the Allan Labor Government’s nation-leading program.
Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins joined the Melbourne Vixens today to launch the expansion at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville, where three vending machines are already installed.
More than 500,000 people visit the Centre each year and more than 80 per cent of them are women and girls. It’s one of more than 20 major venues now providing free access to period products, including:
- Royal Botanic Gardens
- Royal Botanic Gardens – Cranbourne
- Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
- South Melbourne Market
- Queen Victoria Market
- Melbourne Cricket Ground
- John Cain Arena
- Rod Laver Arena
- Margaret Court Arena
- State Library Victoria
- Melbourne Museum
- IMAX Melbourne
- Scienceworks
- ACMI
- Melbourne Recital Centre
- IKON Park
- Mission Whitten Oval
- MARS Stadium
- GMHBA Stadium
- Royal Exhibition Building
- North Melbourne Football Club Recreation Centre
- Melbourne Immigration Museum
From sporting stadiums to museums, hospitals to TAFEs, the Labor Government’s $23 million program is making it easier for women and girls to fully participate in public life – whether that’s work, study, sport or fun.
One in five women and girls report that they can’t afford the period products they need every month. Since the launch of the program in November 2024, more than 90,000 packs have been dispensed – saving families hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Councils across Victoria were asked to help nominate venues, making sure products are available in every corner of the state. Victorians can find the nearest location using the interactive map at vic.gov.au/free-pads-and-tampons.