- Cook Government extending access to free period products to public primary schools
- Students will have access to free period products across all public schools in Western Australia in Term 3, 2024
- Improving access to period products will help keep students engaged in school
- Free period products already available at more than 220 secondary schools and all WA TAFE colleges
The Cook Labor Government is extending provision of free period products to WA public primary schools, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting student health and wellbeing.
More than 570 public primary schools will be provided with free period products in Term 3 this year as part of the extended program.
Period products are a fundamental health necessity, but the cost and associated stigma can mean students do not have access to the items they need while at school.
This initiative will improve access to period products and is designed to help keep students engaged in their learning.
All public schools with primary students throughout the State will have access to period products at no cost to the school or students.
Schools will receive an initial supply of products during Term 3, 2024. As with the secondary program that has already been rolled out to 220 public schools, schools can order additional products via the online portal to ensure products are always available for students.
As stated by Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"It is important we do everything we can to support students while they are at school.
"Following the success of this initiative in public schools with students from Years 7 to 12, I'm pleased all public schools with primary students will soon be able to access free period products.
"No student should miss out on attending class or feel like they can't participate in school if they do not have the products they need."
Comments attributed to Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery:
"We know for some students, periods can arrive before they're of high school age, that's why we're expanding the program into public primary schools.
"The expansion of free period products into public primary schools is important for promoting student health and wellbeing.
"We want all students to be able to reach their full potential, and we want to ensure that having your period is not a barrier for school participation."
