The Big Issue Education workshops are a unique educational experience providing school, tertiary and corporate groups with a real-life insight into homelessness and disadvantage, as experienced by thousands of Australians every night.
Participants hear first-hand from people who have experienced homelessness or disadvantage, helping to break down stereotypes surrounding hardship in our communities, careers, and interactions with others. The workshops also help participants better understand the unique role of social enterprise in addressing some of Australia’s most critical social issues.
Workshops are available online or in-person. Our workshop fees allow The Big Issue to employ people experiencing disadvantage to share their personal stories with participants as guest speakers.
Workshop prices are:
- $395 + GST per workshop for Grade 5-6 primary and secondary workshops
- $310 + GST per workshop for a Grade 1-4 primary workshop (no guest speaker)
- $310 + GST per workshop for online eClassroom
School groups receive a 10 per cent discount when booking three or more workshops. We can accommodate a maximum of 30 students per group. Please use the booking request form to enquire about higher education and corporate workshop pricing.
For more information about our workshops, see FAQs.
The Big City Search
The Big City Search is an additional self-led activity for schools attending in-person workshops in Sydney and Melbourne. Students are given instructions and clues for a problem-solving challenge which is completed in groups. As they move around the city, they explore issues relating to homelessness such as access to transport, services, healthcare and income. This hands-on experience builds on the content from the workshop by providing an insight into some of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.
To book this activity, please fill out the booking form.
Workshops are available for schools, higher education students and corporate groups to gain a real-life insight into homelessness and disadvantage, how it impacts people and businesses, and how social enterprise works to solve this issue. Workshops are tailored for different audiences and learning outcomes and can be delivered in-person or online.
Q: How much do workshops cost?
Our workshop prices for 2024 are:
- $395 + GST per workshop for primary and secondary workshops
- $310 + GST per workshop for a junior primary workshop
- $310 + GST per workshop for online eClassroom
School groups receive a 10 per cent discount when booking three or more workshops. We can accommodate a maximum of 30 students per group. Please contact us below for higher education and corporate workshop pricing.
Q: What is the Big City Search?
The Big City Search is an additional self-led activity for schools attending in-person workshops in Sydney and Melbourne. Students are given instructions and clues for a problem-solving challenge which is completed in groups. As they move around the city, they explore issues relating to homelessness such as access to transport, services, healthcare and income. This hands-on experience builds on the content from the workshop by providing an insight into some of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.
Q: Are workshops available online?
Yes, all our workshops are available online, either by students/staff connecting individually, or all together from a classroom or workplace.
Workshops are delivered through web-conferencing software, all that is needed is a computer with internet connection. A microphone and webcam are desirable but not essential.
Our online workshops follow a similar format to our in-person workshops, with participants hearing from a trained facilitator and a guest speaker who has experienced homelessness or disadvantage.
Q: Where are workshops held?
In-person primary and secondary Classroom workshops are held in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. Higher education and corporate workshops can be held onsite where possible, or at our locations in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.
All workshops are available online, accessed either by students/staff connecting individually, or all together from a classroom or workplace. Online workshops can be accessed anywhere in Australia or overseas.
Q: Can you come to our school?
No, unfortunately we cannot travel to schools. If you can’t attend a workshop at our locations, you may like to request an online workshop.
Q: How long do workshops last?
Primary and secondary workshops are one hour in length. Tertiary and corporate workshops vary in length – please contact us for more information.
Q: How can we book a workshop?
To request a workshop, please fill out the form above. We will check availability on your preferred dates and get back to you soon.
Since 2009 The Big Issue Classroom has provided more than 8,000 paid speaking opportunities for 53 guest speakers.
Guest speakers come to The Big Issue Classroom for a variety of reasons, including homelessness, long-term unemployment, intellectual and physical disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency and family breakdown.
See some of our guest speakers here
- For information and pricing, click here to see our FAQ below.
- To request a workshop or Big City Search activity, fill out the form below.
- Note, your requested dates/times may be unavailable. Please provide alternative dates/times in the additional information section of the form.
“I feel proud I’m helping kids. It makes me feel good when they thank me for sharing my story. I think that students learn from my story – and know how to ask for help if they need it.”
Shane is a guest speaker in Melbourne.
