Free pads and tampons will be given to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory to help with cost of living pressures.
The Albanese government on Tuesday announced it will provide $12.5 million over four years to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation to work with communities to distribute the period products.
About 12,500 women and girls are expected to benefit from the measure each year.
Period products in some remote communities can be almost double the price of those in cities, with a packet of pads ranging between $15–$25.
This means women and girls are often forced to miss out on school, work and community events when they have their period.
Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney said every woman and girl should be able to access menstrual products no matter where they live.
"No one should have to choose between paying for menstrual products instead of food, fuel or rent, and no one should have to miss out on daily activities because they have their period," she said.
"Providing free menstrual products will help First Nations people who are finding it hard to access these essential products."
Assistant Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said people in remote places were doing it tough with high prices.
"Improving access to pads and tampons is important so that women and girls can fully participate in community life - in study, employment and social activities," she said.
