Why Global Citizens Should Care
Girls and women all across the world lack access to affordable and clean menstrual hygiene products, which in turn means many are unable to attend school or work. Taxing tampons and pads disproportionately affects the ability for low income consumers to manage their periods. Join us in taking action on this issue here.

After almost two decades of fiery debate, Australia has finally relinquished the 10% tax on menstrual hygiene products.

Treasurers from across all Australian states and territories voted unanimously this week to pass the federal government's proposal and terminate the $30 million-a-year tax on sanitary products from the GST by Jan. 1, 2019.

Take Action: Prioritizing Menstrual Hygiene Management is Key to Ensuring Girls Can Stay in School

The decision marks a historic win for women's rights, with many feminist groups having long campaigned for tampons, pads, maternity pads, and menstrual cups to be exempt from the GST due to the fact that they are essential items instead of luxury products. These menstrual hygiene products will now sit alongside tax-free items like condoms, lubricants, toothpaste, and Viagra.


Federal Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer announced that prolonged endeavours to remove the 10% tax, one of the highest taxes on menstrual products in the world, have been “tortured”.

"We're really delighted that everyone's come on board to scrap what is an unfair tax," O’Dwyer announced. "Millions of women right across the nation will be very thankful for it.”


The federal government’s proposal was spearheaded by Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who claimed after the vote that the agreement was "good news for women across Australia".

"Common sense has prevailed and this reform, led by the Federal Government, is long overdue," he stated, before claiming the details around what exact products constitute feminine hygiene products wouldn’t be confirmed for a couple of months.

Australia’s decision to scrap the tampon tax follows in the footsteps of various other nations. Earlier this year, India and Malaysia removed their taxes in June and August, respectively.

Editorial

Demand Equity

Tampon Tax Finally Axed in Australia

By Madeleine Keck