The Victorian Government has rolled out 50 smart vending machines across 30 sites in Melbourne, allowing those who need it to access pads and tampons for free. In the first six months of the program, over 25,000 packs of period products were dispensed. These vending machines have been installed at public sites, including libraries, health centres, TAFEs and cultural institutions. The machines are equipped with technology that monitors inventory, and products currently come in packs of two pads or eight tampons. The government will continue to install machines across 700 sites in Victoria throughout 2025.
Here’s where you can find free pads or tampons in Melbourne
Available to the public
- State Library Victoria
- Sidney Myer Music Bowl
- Immigration Museum
- Melbourne Museum
- Albert Park Library
- Brighton Library
- Coburg Library
- Northern Health – Craigieburn Health Service
- Northern Hospital – Epping
- Diamond Valley Library in Greensborough
- Northern Health – Broadmeadows Health Service in Jacana
- Lalor Library
- Newport Library
- North Melbourne Library
- Royal Women’s Hospital in Parkville
- Reservoir Library
- Southbank Library – Boyd Community Hub
- Sydenham Library in Taylor’s Lakes
- Thomastown Library
Restricted access
- Royal Exhibition Building – access only via guided tour or special event
- Chisholm Berwick and Berwick TEC – students only
- Bendigo Kangan Institute Broadmeadows – students only
- Chisholm Cranbourne – students only
- Bendigo Kangan Institute Richmond/Cremorne (Creative Industries) – students only
- Chisholm Dandenong – students only
- Bendigo Kangan Institute Docklands (Automotive Centre of Excellence) – students only
- Bendigo Kanghan Institute Essendon – students only
- Chisholm Frankston – students only
- The Gordon Werribee – students only
- The Gordon Werribee Princes Campus – students only
To find out more details, stay updated, or to learn more about the program, click here.