More than 122,000 people in Australia experienced homelessness on Census night in 2021, or 48 for every 10,000 people, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Almost 54,000 of them were female, and the number of females experiencing homelessness rose by around 10 per cent from 2016.
Behind those figures sits a practical question, and it is the one this article on homelessness and periods in Australia tries to answer: how do you manage a period without a safe, stable place to live, and what support exists?
Quick answer: Managing a period while homeless is hard because the basics the World Health Organization lists for menstrual health, namely products, water, sanitation and disposal facilities, may be out of reach. Almost 54,000 females were homeless in Australia on Census night 2021. Victoria now offers free pads and tampons through vending machines at up to 700 public places.
How many people are homeless in Australia?
The ABS estimate for Census night 2021 was more than 122,000 people, and most of them were not sleeping on the street. For females, the rate was 42 in every 10,000.
| Living situation on Census night 2021 | People |
|---|---|
| Severely crowded dwellings | 47,895 |
| Supported accommodation for the homeless | 24,291 |
| Boarding houses | 22,137 |
| Staying temporarily with other households | 16,597 |
| Improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out | 7,636 |
| Other temporary lodging | 3,934 |
Why are periods harder to manage when you're homeless?
Because a period needs more than a pad or tampon. The World Health Organization says menstrual health depends on information and education, the products people need, water, sanitation and disposal facilities, and competent, empathic care when needed. Without a stable home, any of these can be hard to count on.
Cost is part of it too. The Victorian Government says many people cannot afford the period products they need to take part in school, work and social activities. Going without suitable products has health consequences as well: Victoria's Department of Education warns that using inappropriate products, or using products for too long, carries health risks, and links poor menstrual hygiene to toxic shock syndrome and reproductive tract infections.
Where can you get free pads and tampons in Victoria?
From vending machines in public places. The Victorian Government is installing free pad and tampon machines at up to 700 sites, including public hospitals, TAFEs, courts, libraries, staffed train stations and major cultural institutions such as Melbourne Museum and the National Gallery of Victoria.
The state says people should be able to get products whenever and wherever they need them, and that the program aims to increase access and normalise periods. People experiencing poverty or homelessness were consulted as it was developed. Students at Victorian government schools have had free dispensers since 2019 under a separate initiative.
How can you support someone who needs period products?
Start by treating period products as the essentials they are; both Victorian initiatives describe them as a necessity, not a luxury. Practical ideas include telling people where free machines are, asking before offering products so the choice stays with them, and talking about periods openly so the need isn't hidden. Our guide on how to talk about periods and break the taboo has tips for that last part, and our period poverty article looks at affordability more broadly.
When to see a doctor
Seek urgent help for possible toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious reaction to a bacterial infection. healthdirect says to call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you think you have it, or go to the nearest emergency department. Symptoms include:
- a sudden high temperature;
- vomiting or diarrhoea;
- dizziness from low blood pressure;
- aching muscles or confusion;
- a red rash like sunburn on the hands and feet.
Menstrual TSS is most likely in females aged 13 to 24, according to healthdirect, which advises changing tampons about every 4 to 8 hours, or as often as the packet says.
Frequently asked questions
How many women and girls experienced homelessness in Australia in 2021?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that almost 54,000 females were experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2021, a rate of 42 in every 10,000 females. That number rose by around 10 per cent from the 2016 Census. Across all genders, more than 122,000 people were homeless, or 48 in every 10,000.
Does being homeless always mean sleeping rough?
No. In the 2021 Census, 7,636 people were living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out, while 47,895 were in severely crowded dwellings and 24,291 were in supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. Others lived in boarding houses, stayed temporarily with other households or used other temporary lodging, according to the ABS.
Who can use Victoria's free pad and tampon machines?
The Victorian Government page does not set eligibility rules. It says people should be able to access products whenever and wherever they need them, and lists public hospitals, TAFEs, courts, libraries, staffed train stations and cultural institutions among the sites. It points to the state's free pads and tampons website for new machine locations.
Can a period cup cause toxic shock syndrome?
healthdirect lists menstrual cups, along with tampons and diaphragms, among the products linked to most menstrual TSS cases in females, though it stresses that bacteria cause the illness, not the product itself. Wash your hands before inserting, follow the product instructions, and call 000 if you develop symptoms such as a sudden high temperature or sunburn-like rash.
If you're weighing up a reusable option for your own periods, the Lunette period cup lasts up to 10 years with proper care and comes in two sizes, both holding more than 2 to 3 tampons' worth. Our period cup cleaning guide covers washing and storage.
This article is general information, not medical advice; in an emergency call 000, and for other health concerns see your GP.
