Where to get free period products
We provide free period products (pads and tampons) at:
- 220 London Circuit: in the unisex and women’s bathrooms on the ground floor.
- ACT Courts: in or outside 3 bathrooms at the ACT courts.
- ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT): in the unisex bathroom on the ground floor.
- ACT Housing (Belconnen): in the unisex bathroom on the ground floor.
- ACT Libraries: at all ACT libraries.
- Canberra Health Services: at Canberra Hospital, University of Canberra Hospital, Community Health Centres and Walk-in Centres.
- Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT): at Woden Campus and Tuggeranong Campus.
- Child and Family Centres (West Belconnen, Gungahlin and Tuggeranong): in the unisex and women’s bathrooms.
- Child Development Service: in the unisex and women’s bathrooms.
- Mingle Community Space Whitlam: in the unisex disability access bathroom on the ground floor.
For students in ACT public schools, we provide:
- pads in primary schools
- pads and tampons in high schools and colleges.
Visit Libra for more information about how to use tampons.
We want to hear from you
If you’ve used the free period product service or have ideas for improvements we’d love your feedback. Your insights will help us make access even better for everyone in our community.
Learn about periods and toxic shock syndrome
Periods are also called menstruation. Visit Health Direct to learn more about periods.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a very rare infection caused by bacteria. It can be very serious. Read more on Health Direct.
Health support for period pain
It’s common to have some mood changes, cramps, and other symptoms before and during your period. If you have severe pain that interferes with your life you should see a doctor.
If you are concerned about your periods you should talk to a general practitioner. They can give you advice and refer you to a specialist if you need one.
You should also see a doctor if:
- you're 16 years or older and haven't started to have periods
- your periods get heavier or stop coming regularly
- you have any bleeding after menopause.
Find a GP near you using the Health Direct service finder.
You could also make an appointment with the Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT clinic.
Your general practitioner may also refer you to the Canberra Endometriosis Centre.
You can use the online tool on the Canberra Endometriosis Centre's website to understand if you need to visit a doctor.
If you are not sure whether your period is normal, you can use the Period ImPact and Pain Assessment.
Menstruation leave
There is no law that says employers in the ACT must give menstrual leave. However, some employers have made it a policy that their employees can take leave when they are affected by their periods.
Talk to your employer or human resources team in your organisation about whether this leave is available.
Provide free period products at your location
Your community organisation can let us know it wants to provide free period products.
Fill in the form to provide period products
Tell people about our free period products
Download our multilingual postcard with a QR code to bring people to this page.
Contact us
Contact the Office for Women for more information.
Call
02 6205 5681
Email
women@act.gov.au