Street magazine The Big Issue is celebrating magazine vendors all around the country with a special edition of the fortnightly magazine, on sale today 31 January.

This fortnight’s magazine commemorates Vendor Week, an annual event that acknowledges the dedication, resilience and strength of The Big Issue magazine vendors, who have all experienced homelessness, marginalisation or disadvantage, but are all proudly working to earn an income, reconnect with the community and positively change their lives.

Special magazine content includes vendor-penned ‘Letter to our Younger Selves’ pieces from Glenn in Sydney, Ruth in Adelaide, Jason B in Brisbane and Lionel in Melbourne. The edition also features artworks from vendors Amos in Brisbane, Sarah in Perth, Lynn in Newcastle, Tony in Perth, Daniel in Adelaide, Katherine in Sydney and Robert in Perth, who have created pieces based on what home means to them.

Vendors come to The Big Issue magazine from a wide range of circumstances, including homelessness, long-term unemployment, disability, physical and mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency, family breakdown and more. Since The Big Issue began in 1996 more than 14 million magazines have been sold, helping more than 7,500 vendors earn a collective $38 million. Currently there are more than 600 vendors selling The Big Issue nationally.

This edition also includes a special 2-for-1 offer for vendors, thanks to partners REA Group. Normally vendors buy magazines for $4.50 each and sell them for $9. For this edition vendors can buy two magazines for the price of one, increasing their opportunity to earn.

The Vendor Week edition is on sale until 13 February 2025. Along with cash, vendors accept payments by card and PayID. If you’re not close to a vendor, subscriptions to The Big Issue magazine are available and packed by The Big Issue Women’s Workforce, creating work for women experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

The Big Issue magazine is part of Australia’s longest standing and most significant social enterprise, dedicated to supporting and creating work opportunities for people experiencing homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage.

Alongside The Big Issue magazine, it has since expanded to create and operate several additional programs and enterprises: the Women’s Workforce, Community Street Soccer Program, The Big Issue Classroom and Homes for Homes. For more information visit thebigissue.org.au.

ENDS

The Big Issue staff and vendors are available for media. For more information and to confirm media opportunities contact:

Maree Agapitos, Media and Communications Lead
magapitos@bigissue.org.au | 0418 124 190

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