The Big Issue magazine is a fortnightly, independent magazine sold on the streets by people experiencing homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage.
Vendors buy each
magazine for $4.50
Vendors sell the magazine
for $9.00 each
Vendors earn $4.50 per magazine, earning a meaningful income
The Big Issue magazine is a fortnightly, independent magazine sold on the streets by people experiencing homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage.
Vendors buy copies of the magazine for $4.50 and sell them for $9, keeping the difference and earning meaningful income. Since it began in Australia in 1996, more than 14 million magazines have been sold, putting $35 million into the pockets of Australians experiencing disadvantage.
The Big Issue is timely and topical, and loved by readers for its distinctive brand of irreverence. The magazine has something for everyone: vendors’ stories, celebrity profiles, culture, commentary and in-depth social justice investigations all feature in its pages.
The magazine is available in print from a vendor, or by subscription which provides employment for women experiencing disadvantage through our Women’s Workforce.
It’s as simple as make, buy sell!
The Big Issue editorial team make a quality magazine each fortnight, which is made available for vendors to buy at $4.50 per magazine.
Vendors then sell the magazine to customers for $9 each, earning a meaningful income. There is no minimum number of magazines vendors have to buy, and any unsold magazines can be exchanged or refunded.
“Sometimes people say, oh I’ll just give you a donation. A donation may help, but it’s not selling a mag. The magazine does not just happen. And we’re not all homeless. We are not out there begging. We’re working. I feel very strongly about this. I might take it too seriously, but we go out to work, we own the fact that we’re doing it.” – Melbourne vendor, David.
Want to rave about us, reprimand us, or give a shout out to your vendor? Fill out the form on the Contact Us page to share your feedback with us. You might even be selected for our magazine’s ‘Letter of the Fortnight’!
By submitting you give permission for your name and letter to be included in our magazine. Submissions may be edited for clarity or space.
Meet The
Vendors
Gamal
I come to Degraves Street every day to spend time with people. The money I make from The Big Issue makes a difference.
Learn more
Grant
Things have been getting a lot better since I’ve been a vendor. Independence is really important to me, to avoid being stuck at home doing nothing.
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Gerry
I really like meeting so many different people from all walks of life, and I just love the human connection.
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Steve
I like doing it, and I have quite a few regular customers that come and see me every week. I sometimes even get a tea from them.
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Bruce
I first heard about The Big Issue on the streets in Perth. I used to sit in this alcove and watch people selling The Big Issue and I thought, I could do that!
Learn moreCommunity and Distribution partners
Partners
- Citiplace Community Centre, City of Perth
- City of Adelaide
- City of Brisbane
- City of Melbourne
- City of Perth
- City of Sydney
- Community Northern Beaches
- Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre, Katoomba
- Mary Ryans Bookshop, New Farm
- Micah Projects, West End
- Mills Records, Fremantle
- Paperbark Merchants, Albany
- Vicinity Centres
