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
John
I was born in Perth. Apparently we lived in Manning Park, but I don’t remember that. I can only recall from the time when my family and I moved to Carnarvon. I remember my Grade 1 teacher, because I loved her. And I remember my Grade 3 teacher because I hated her. She gave me…
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Krystal
Out of everything I’ve done in my life, having my child has got to be the most amazing thing. I love watching him grow. He’s learning to read. Some days, I’m not perfect, but I’m doing the best I can – and I’m a world away from where I grew up. I’m doing the work to reverse my history.
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Craig
Selling The Big Issue gives me a life. It gets me out of home. I love talking to people. It’s not about selling; for me, it’s about interacting with other people.
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Robert
I started selling The Big Issue around 2001. I like getting out of the house and meeting people. And the income helps.
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Emma
I’d love to keep selling The Big Issue. My favourite thing is the people I come across, both customers and vendors.
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Gary
If I can inspire one person, that’s a good thing. And that’s why I like doing The Big Issue. Be your own hero.
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’!
