
Lack of access to period products can lead to young people missing school in order to manage their period. Further, many young people do not have a good understanding of their periods and how they affect their bodies, which can contribute to shame and embarrassment.
To support Queensland school students to access period products and improve their understanding of menstruation, in 2021, the Queensland Government partnered with
Share the Dignity.
Through the initiative, students in 120 Queensland state and non-state schools will have access to free period products through the installation of Dignity Vending Machines. All Queensland state and non-state schools also have free access to the Period Talk education program to build students' understanding of menstruation and the impact of periods.
Following the initial success of the Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative, the Queensland Government committed to expanding the initiative to provide all Queensland state schools, outdoor and environmental education centres, and student residential facilities with the opportunity to provide free period products to students at their school. Information about how schools can register to have a period product vending machine installed in their school will be provided to schools in Term 1, 2023.
Providing students with access to free period products and period education contributes to students' wellbeing, their readiness to engage positively at school and reduces the shame and stigma associated with menstruation.
Dignity Vending Machines
Dignity Vending Machines (DVMs) installed in schools dispense free period packs (6 tampons and 2 pads) to students on demand. Share the Dignity provide the free period packs for schools to re-stock DVMs as required.
The 62 schools (including 53 state schools and 9 non-state schools) selected to receive a DVM through an initial expression of interest process are listed below. Schools were selected based on identification of a suitable location in their school for the DVM, and their level of need to supply free period products to students. DVMs were installed in all 62 schools in 2022.
Schools selected for a Dignity Vending Machine
Mackay State High School
Mount Morgan State High School
Pioneer State High School
Toolooa State High School
Yeppoon State High School
Dalby State High School
Harristown State High School
Kingaroy State High School
Lockyer District State High School
Murgon State High School
St George State High School
Wilsonton State High School
Mareeba State High School
Northern Peninsula Area State College
Trinity Bay State High School
Woree State High School
Bremer State High School
Brisbane State High School
Bundamba State Secondary College
Corinda State High School
Forest Lake State High School
Mansfield State High School
Redbank Plains State High School
Rosewood State High School
Sunnybank State High School
Yeronga State High School
Aldridge State High School
Bribie Island State High School
Bundaberg State High School
Deception Bay State High School
Hervey Bay State High School
Kepnock State High School
Maryborough State High School
Urangan State High School
Bowen State High School
Bwgcolman Community School
Heatley Secondary College
Kirwan State High School
Pimlico State High School
Spinifex State College
Alexandra Hills State High School
Beenleigh State High School
Helensvale State High School
Kingston State College
Mabel Park State High School
Marsden State High School
Nerang State High School
Ormeau Woods State High School
Pacific Pines State High School
Park Ridge State High School
Pimpama State Secondary College
Southport State High School
Victoria Point State High School
St Patrick’s College, Townsville
St Anthony’s Catholic College, Deeragun
St Francis’ College, Crestmead
Good Shepherd Catholic College, Mount Isa
Columba Catholic College, Charters Towers
Hymba Yumba Independent School, Springfield
Faith Lutheran College, Plainland
Radiant Life College, Innisfail
Westside Christian College, Goodna
Period Talk
All Queensland schools have free access to the Period Talk education program. Developed by Talk Revolution, the program is designed to educate students in Years 5–8 about menstruation and the impact of periods. Topics include: menstrual cycles, types of period products, managing periods, nutrition, period pain and when to seek help from the doctor, cultural factors and the impact of periods from a human rights and environmental perspective.
Information about how schools can request free access to Period Talk is available on the
Share the Dignity website. Queensland state schools can search for 'Share the Dignity' on OnePortal for more information.