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
Meet The
Vendors
Rochelle
I’m in a good spot in my life at the moment, but that wasn’t always the case. My life started with open-heart surgery shortly after I was born. Luckily it went well, but I might need additional surgery to replace a valve later in life, so I can have a long life. While my parents…
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Kylie
I grew up in South Melbourne. I was an only child and was raised by my nan. She was an aged care worker. My nan was awesome. She was totally old school in her values – hard worker, good provider, created a family environment. I’m strong, like her. My childhood was good with her. I only have…
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Ted
I was brought up in Kingston, which is a few miles south of Woodridge in southeastern Queensland. It was my mum, dad and sister at home, but Dad was away a lot. Eventually my parents split up, so Mum did a lot on her own. I found primary school difficult and didn’t like it much…
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Murray
I used to be an athlete. I got a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport when I was 14, and was with them for 10 years. I’ve travelled to Germany, Brazil, Spain, Hungary, Malaysia and Argentina to compete in the world championships for the intellectually disabled. I’ve held a world record and won gold…
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MBK
I grew up with a single mum and an elder sister in St Albans, Melbourne. I never knew my father; he died when I was one. My mum’s parents are Ukrainian, and during this turmoil I’ve been wishing I could do more. I got the amazing Ukrainian trident (tryzub) tattoo, so now it’s always close…
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Ivan
I grew up in Adelaide, in the suburb of Payneham. Been there all my life. I went to Payneham Primary School, then went to Marden High. I haven’t lived out of the town. Growing up, I played cricket locally for my school, and for a couple of years at Payneham Cricket Club. I played soccer…
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
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 below 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.
Your Say
You might even be selected for our magazine’s ‘Letter of the Fortnight’!
