Free tampon and pad vending machines have been installed across state

The bright orange vending machines are popping up in public bathrooms under the Victorian Government initiative.

Earlier this year the Victorian Government announced a $23 million commitment to provide free pads and tampons in vending machines in public places.

Starting in metropolitan Melbourne within sports centres mid-year, the initiative has now started its rollout across the state, ensuring Victorians from all corners of the state will soon have easier access to free pads and tampons when and where they need them. The successful first stage of the program saw 25,000 period products dispensed from vending machines across metropolitan Melbourne.

Keep up to date with what is happening in and around regional Victoria here.

 

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This second phase has seen the state install vending machines in 336 locations so far across public hospitals, TAFEs, courts, libraries, train stations, and cultural hubs like the National Gallery of Victoria.

The list thus far captures half of the proposed rollout, with up to 1,450 vending machines across up to 700 public spaces on the agenda for the initiative.

In Ballarat, the orange vending machines have appeared in both Ballarat Library on the ground floor accessible public toilets and Sebastopol Library in the female and accessible public toilets, along with Ballarat Central and Sovereign Hill. Seventeen locations across Geelong have received their installation including GMHBA Stadium, The Gordon, Barwon Health facilities, and libraries including centrals Geelong’s Little Malop Street location. Fellow major city Bendigo has seen five vending machines installed.

A comprehensive list of locations where the free tampon and pad vending machines are installed can be found here.