The Australian edition of the paper is a project of the UK-based The Big Issue.
The first magazine was launched in Australia on the steps of Melbourne’s Flinders Street railway station on 16 June 1996.
At the paper's headquarters in Melbourne, the publication of each new edition includes a launch breakfast for local vendors.
[3] In Australia, vendors are homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds, including those suffering from mental health conditions or drug addictions.
The voluntary initiative encourages homeowners, property developers and banks to make a tax deductible donation of 0.1 per cent of their property price, at the time they sell.