You’ve Walked Past the Job. Now Read the Story - The Big Issue

The Big Issue at the Signal Flare Event

You don’t need a degree.

You don’t need an ABN.

You don’t even need ID.

You just need to walk through the door.

That’s how Lorna explains it.

“You come into the Uniting Church on 131 Creek Street, that’s St Andrew’s, and we get you signed up. There’s an induction. Fifteen minutes, that’s it. No police check, no paperwork. Just you.”

This is The Big Issue, a magazine that’s been changing lives on Australian streets for 29 years. And Lorna? She’s one of the women making that change possible.

Your own job. Your own hours. Your own rules.

At its core, The Big Issue is about dignity through work. Vendors buy the magazine at a low cost, sell it at a profit, and keep the earnings. It’s a way to earn income, but also to be seen, heard, and valued.

“You’re your own boss,” Lorna says.

“It’s not a nine-to-five job. It’s on your terms. Your energy. Your health. Your life.”

And the people who sign up?

They’re not “beneficiaries.” They’re workers. Entrepreneurs. Writers. Artists. Observers of life, standing on their pitch with a stack of magazines and a hundred stories behind their eyes.

“Maybe they’ve got a criminal record. Maybe they’ve had mental health challenges. Maybe they’re homeless or just can’t hold down traditional work,” Lorna says.

“Whatever their story, they’re welcome.”

Jason with his poem, published in The Big Issue.

A job that gives people back their voice

Sure, it’s a job. But The Big Issue is more than income.

Inside every issue is a vendor profile: a real human being who sells the magazine, telling their story in their own words. And then there’s the Street Sheet, a dedicated section where vendors contribute their own writing, poems, reflections, observations, and jokes.

“It’s a chance for someone who might have been silenced most of their life to be heard,” Lorna says.

“To put their name to something. To be published.”

For many vendors, it’s the first time their story has ever been printed. And the first time someone stopped and listened long enough to hear it.

So, What’s in It?

People often ask: what even is The Big Issue? Is it political? Is it personal?

The answer is yes. And more.

You’ll find music reviews. Film, food, and book recommendations. Deep dives into social issues. Photography, poetry, and yes, lots of heart.

“It’s got international voices. Australian stories. Recipes. Meditation. Stories about addiction, resilience, housing, whatever’s real,” Lorna explains.

“It’s always a bit of this and that.”

And no, it’s not strictly political. But it leans toward empathy. Toward humanity. Toward the people who usually don’t make the headlines.

Jason’s Poem - “Mirrored”

The Big Issue is a job, but for some, it’s a life

“Some vendors have been doing this for 20 years,” Lorna says.

“For them, it’s not a side hustle. It’s their life.”

And while the media world has shifted — with more screens and less paper — The Big Issue remains a powerful, physical reminder of what can happen when you give someone a platform.

Want to support someone directly?

Buy a copy.

Say hello.

Ask about their story.

Share it.

🧡 To become a vendor or learn more, visit: thebigissue.org.au

Lorna will probably be waiting at the table with a warm laugh and zero judgement.

No resume required.

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