Across the University of Sydney, you’ll notice sparsely dispersed free sanitary products. Sometimes they’re small wicker baskets with a kind note encouraging you to take as you need, sometimes they’re half full pixii dispensers, and sometimes they’re dust remnants of the exorbitant prices products still cost with “MrsFeelGood” faded on the side.
In a survey of 153,000 by Share the Dignity, three in five admitted to struggling to afford menstrual products, with one in four having worn products longer than what is safe, to save on cost. Free period products at USyd are currently provided by a range of groups. Faculties and societies such as the Network of Women, Geosoc, SULS, and Engineering, provide pads and tampons in their specific parts of campus. USyd has a Share the Dignity vending machine in the Carslaw basement. USyd stores feature whopping $12 packs, and the Wentworth chemist ranging from $5-9. The USU and SRC work in collaboration to provide free products at FoodHub. The largest provider on campus is currently the University of Sydney Union (USU).
Since 2022, the USU have installed 102 dispensers in all 51 bathrooms across three of their buildings; Wentworth, Holme, and Manning. This has been funded by Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF), instead of the University budget, which reported a surplus of $351.8 million in 2023.
A spokesperson for the University stated, “We know the importance of removing barriers to access for staff and students.
“We’re reviewing the possibility of providing period products across bathrooms at the University, in addition to those available in USU buildings – an initiative supported by SSAF funding.
“The University has also installed a free vending machine in Carslaw bathrooms.”
If the University were to provide the products from their facilities budgets, SSAF fees that provide free groceries, meals, and clubs experiences would have the capacity to expand. One $25,000 vending machine by the University is nowhere near as accessible as 102 dispensers by the USU.
2025 SRC Women’s Officers Martha Barlow and Ellie Robertson commented, “Whilst we think it should be the responsibility of the university to provide these products, a student union as well funded as the USU should use their resources to alleviate the cost of living crisis for students. Access to period products is a massively important accessibility factor for menstruating people at university, and a delay in access to these products makes it harder for people to participate equally.
“We also would like to emphasise the importance of proper maintenance and restocking, including adequate training to ensure that out of date products are not being provided to students, and hope this aspect of the provision of period products is taken seriously. We are prepared to continue to exert pressure on the USU to ensure the expansion of these services is committed to.”
There has been a gradual change in other universities across the country. In 2023, the University of Technology Sydney trialled a pilot program that featured menstrual products in five locations (CB01.03 (The Underground) female bathroom, CB02.07 female bathroom, CB02.03 female, all gender and disabled bathroom, CB07.03 all gender and disabled bathroom, CB11.04 female bathroom), with the opportunity to expand after review. The program was allocated $10,000 SSAF per year and is set to continue into 2025, facilitated by Initial Australia.
UTS Studendts Association President Mia Campbell commented that “The pilot program has been successful so far, and a report the UTSSA conducted in 2023 revealed that students found the program incredibly helpful. We are lacking more up-to-date data on this, and so the Women’s Collective is looking to conduct a university-wide survey this semester to assess any gaps in the program, the knowledge of the program amongst students and other ways of measuring its success.”
“Unfortunately, the program is currently lacking in male bathrooms, being pulled from student contribution fees rather than the facilities budget, and potential expansions. Campbell added the lack of program expansion is a result of the University’s lack of involvement “the university tells us this is reliant on gathering updated data on the usage of these products, which they don’t want to do themselves. Ideally, the Women’s Collective will run a campaign this year to gather this data so that this expansion can progress.”
Similarly, the University of New South Wales trialled a similar program across 9 bathrooms at their Kensington campus, and 1 at their Paddington campus in 2023. Further updates since have not been updated on their website. UNSW were approached for comment but have yet to respond.
Since 2023, Western Sydney University provided free menstrual products across all their campuses following the success of a trial program.
Outside New South Wales, Griffiths University in Queensland was one of the first to provide free menstrual products in the state, currently providing at 5 locations on campus. Since 2024, The University of Adelaide in South Australia has distributed more than 10,000 products across all their campuses through a pilot program with Femme Organic and Taboo, currently funded by SSAF funding and a grant from an Overseas Student Health Cover provider.
Senior Wellbeing Project Officer at the University of Adelaide, Jacqui Faliszewski, commented that “The Student Health and Wellbeing team (SHW) has received very positive feedback on the ‘We got you. Period’ initiative. More than 10,000 products were distributed in 2024. SHW worked collaboratively with staff and students to maintain stock in a number of locations. The project wouldn’t be possible without their support. Whilst the provision of products to students who may experience financial barriers to accessing product is fantastic, there is also a need to continuously focus on promotion of the service to new and existing students so they are aware the initiative exists.”
“To compliment this provision of free period products, SHW also hosted pelvic pain and menstrual education workshops to increase students’ understanding of menstrual hygiene practices and options. SHW has also supported student initiatives such as ‘make your own pad’ events through the distribution of wellbeing grants.”
Although vending machines are present across all campuses, they are yet to be available in all bathrooms across the campuses, with plans to expand in 2025.
The rollout of free menstrual products federally has been disastrously slow. States, public spaces and local councils often taking on the challenge of addressing barriers. Only last year was the first federal initiative announced for free pads and tampons for remote First Nations communities. The Government committed to providing $12.5 million over four years to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
It was only in 2019 was the goods and services tax eradicated from menstrual products. This had reduced shelf prices by 9.1 per cent. Less reported is the fact that only last year in late 2024 were tariffs removed from imported menstrual products.
The Australian Capital Territory was the first to enshrine free-period products in legislation. The Period Products and Facilities (Access) Act 2023 committed to $2.8 million for the provision and rollout of free products in public spaces, including universities. The Victorian State has started to install vending machines across the state in public restrooms. Currently, 50 vending machines have been installed across metropolitan Melbourne and will be monitored statewide installation.
In NSW there is yet to be a state-wide public intervention in period poverty. In 2023 the NSW State Government introduced the Menstrual Hygiene program in all public schools, allowing students to access free menstrual products. Councils such as the City of Sydney and Inner West Council have started to install dispensaries in public council facilities.
The Inner West Council became the first Council in NSW to provide free menstrual products. 10 sites were used for the trial, Addison Road Community Centre, Ashfield Library, Marrickville Youth Resource Centre, Summer Hill Neighbourhood Centre, Ashfield Aquatic Centre, Leichhardt Park Aquatic Centre, Marrickville Library, Balmain Library, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre. Following the success of the trial, the council has committed to continue the program into 2025, with hopes of expanding further in the future.
In a September 2023 council meeting, The City of Sydney Council passed the ‘Ending Period Poverty in the City of Sydney’ motion. The proposal “commits to launch an initial 12-month pilot of free period care product services and dispensaries across no less than ten council locations within the Local Government Area”. Following this pilot, it would review and consult with relevant groups and roll out public education programs. Progress towards the pilot program is still yet to be seen.
Addressing period poverty goes beyond free menstrual products. It requires systemic efforts, changes, and education. A campus that provides free products is merely a tiny step forward.
WSU free products: https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/newscentre/news_centre/more_news_stories/western_sydney_university_supporting_students_with_free_period_products_on_campus
Uni Adelaide free products: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/wellbeing/wellbeing-hub/body-health/fighting-period-poverty
UNSW pilot: https://www.arc.unsw.edu.au/voice/src/src-campaigns/free-period-products-on-campus
UTS pilot: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/news/giving-students-access-free-period-products
Griffith Uni period positivity campaign: https://griffithsrc.com.au/period-positivity-program/
Free period products across Victoria: https://www.vic.gov.au/free-pads-and-tampons-public-places
Ending Period Poverty in the City of Sydney: https://meetings.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=15962
Inner West council: https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-council-extends-and-widens-free-period-products-in-public-bathrooms/.
Guardian period poverty: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/01/one-in-five-australians-improvised-period-products-due-to-cost-barriers-survey-finds
Tarrifs removed on menstrual and period products: https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2024-506306
Menstrual leave at usyd: https://www.salienceatsydney.org/blog/2023/05/17/call-for-formal-menstrual-leave/
Free products for remote First Nations communities: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-ged-kearney-mp/media/free-pads-and-tampons-for-people-in-remote-first-nations-communities
