More than 500 Queensland schools apply for free period product scheme

The government announced last week it had distributed 100,000 free period product packs to students and installed 147 Dignity Vending Machines in schools in partnership with charityThe original program promised vending machines for 120 Queensland government schools, but was later expanded to include all schools wanting one, at a cost of more than $35 million over six years.Under the latest registration round, 393 schools applied, including 235 primary schools.

Share the Dignity's founder Rochelle Courtenay said she was "thrilled" to see the government had committed to ensuring kids weren't missing school due to being unable to afford period products. As part of the partnership, the charity also provides access to an educational program "Period Talk" to help remove stigma around menstruation.All states and territories across the country now have programs in place to provide free period products to students who require them from at least grade 7 upwards after Western Australia became the last state to implement such a scheme at the start of the year.

A student uses a Dignity Vending Machine at Victoria Point State High School in Redland City, south-east of Brisbane. "They may already have other supports in place for students, such as providing free period products via an alternative method.Principal Justin Harris from Toolooa State High School in Gladstone said the vending machine had "truly resonated" with students.

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