South Australians resort to theft and makeshift pads as period poverty deepens

In 2024, over 60% of South Australians who menstruate indicated they could not afford sanitary supplies, leading teachers, social workers and wellbeing officers to buy items out of their own pockets. Reports describe girls stealing products from supermarkets, wearing tampons for multiple days, and using socks as improvised pads. A Share the Dignity survey placed the state among the few lagging behind the ACT, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales in providing free period products.

Former Legislative Council member Connie Bonaros introduced a Period Products and Facilities (Access) Bill modeled on the ACT law, but it did not clear the lower house. The education department says more than 500 public schools receive supplies, reaching roughly 50,000 students, yet advocates argue that legislation is required to ensure universal access.