Buy a magazine
The best way to buy a magazine is from a vendor
We have more than 800 vendors working around the country, with a wide range of experiences leading them to The Big Issue. This includes homelessness, long-term unemployment, intellectual and physical disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency and family breakdown. Every vendor has a different story, but all are looking to improve their lives.
Big Issue vendors have the opportunity to earn an immediate income and engage meaningfully with the community. They are proudly working selling a genuine product, which is why we encourage people to always take the magazine they pay for.
If there aren’t any vendors close to you, take out a subscription and have magazines delivered straight to your door!
In lockdown? You can still help support vendors during this difficult time.
Becoming a vendor
Becoming a Big Issue vendor gives you the opportunity to sell a world-renowned street paper while earning a meaningful income.
Anyone can become a vendor and start selling the magazine straight away. We support people from all walks of life, including people experiencing homelessness, people with disability and people who are finding it difficult to get other work.
All you need to do is visit the vendor support office in your state and speak to a member of the team who will provide you with information and support. You will go through an induction process and sign a vendor agreement form.
Once you become a vendor, you will buy copies of The Big Issue for $4.50 to sell to your customers for $9, keeping the difference. There are plenty of pitches where you can sell the magazine and distribution points where you can buy copies.
Earning an income is only one part of being a vendor. You will also have access to training and support. Most importantly, you will be part of The Big Issue community.
Our Vendor Support staff are in each state to provide support, training and tools to vendors. They help vendors through their hard times, celebrate their triumphs, and give vendors the confidence and skills to succeed in their work.
Australian Capital Territory
Woden Youth Centre, 29 Callam St, Phillip ACT 2606
Phone: (02) 6181 2801
or 0448 476 184
New South Wales
104 George St
Redfern, NSW 2016
Phone: (02) 8332 7200
Fax: (02) 9310 5261
Manager: Chris Campbell
Queensland
St Andrews Church
131 Creek St
Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: (07) 3221 3513
Manager: Chris Campbell
South Australia
237 North Terrace
Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: (08) 8359 3450
Manager: Matthew Steadman
Victoria
Donkey Wheel House
Ground Floor, 673 Bourke Street
(enter via Godfrey Street)
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9602 7600
Manager: Gemma Pidutti
Western Australia
249 Hay Street
East Perth 6004
Phone: (08) 9225 7792
Manager: Andrew Joske
Meet The
Vendors
James
I was born in Melbourne. I’ve got my mum. I’ve got my twin sister – I’m classed as older, by a couple of seconds, I think – and then I’ve got my little sister and my brother. My parents separated when I was young, around four or five.
Learn more
Michael
I grew up in Cooma, New South Wales. There were four children in our family and I’m the eldest. One time Dad was working in Thailand. My sister and I went to Bangkok to visit him. It was exciting going on the plane.
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Randy
“I love selling the mag because it gets me out of the house. I get to meet different people. I’ve known a lot of the vendors for a long while, so it’s good.”
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Owen
“I find selling the mag good. You have to get used to the fluctuations of bad days and good days, but the best approach is to be friendly.”
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KJ
“I started selling The Big Issue in July. I like the freedom, that you pick your hours. And just getting out and about and meeting people, and having fun.”
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Bevan
“This is probably my fifth time selling The Big Issue. I just love doing it. I love seeing people smile, even if I don’t get money – I don’t care. To see someone walk past grumpy and I make them smile, that works for me – I’m a pretty laid-back character like that.”
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