Women could have free access to period products in Newcastle council buildings under a proposed trial.
Labor councillor Paige Johnson said society had a responsibility to address period poverty, which is the inability to afford or access menstrual products.
At this week's council meeting, Cr Johnson said period products were just as essential as toilet paper.
"Poor access to sanitary products can affect people's emotional and physical health and influence their behaviour, such as attendance at school and work, participation in sports, and socialising in public places," she said.
"It should go without saying that period products are essential and not optional luxuries.
"I reckon if cisgender men got periods or needed sanitary products, they would literally be everywhere, just like toilet paper."
Newcastle councillors unanimously backed an initial 12-month pilot in a selection of City of Newcastle buildings, including public toilets and libraries, and asked for a report within six months.
The report would address suitable locations, the benefits and the costs of the pilot.
Share the Dignity, an Australian charity that distributes free period products to those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or financial trouble, already provides vending machines at two Newcastle libraries and the Maryland Neighbourhood Centre.
A report to councillors argued that Newcastle was already well served compared with other regions in Australia, and said supplying more free period products would come at a significant cost.
A Share the Dignity vending machine costs $25,000 to build, install and maintain for four years with period packs.
Council staff estimate it would cost $200,000 to put vending machines in just eight women's toilets.
A 2024 report from the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into Public Toilets found provision of period products across the state was inconsistent, lacked equality and often did not meet people's needs.
Greens councillor Siobhan Isherwood said a 2024 Share the Dignity study found that 64 per cent of Australians who menstruated found it hard to afford period products.
"Just like toilet paper, it's a bloody nuisance when you can't get your hands on them," she said.
Cr Isherwood said the federal government made period products GST-free in 2019 and said it was time for state and local governments to act.
"Now, just like periods, each venue is going to likely need a unique, different arrangement, and just like pads and tampons, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work," she said.
Cr Isherwood said some locations may need dispensers while others could be serviced with a basket that was refilled by staff.
