A West Australian who sells The Big Issue has said a price increase is making it more difficult to move copies of the street magazine during a tough economic climate.

Key points: The Big Issue increased its price in December from $7 to $9

The Big Issue increased its price in December from $7 to $9 Big Issue seller, Bevan Hebberman, said the tough economic conditions was making it more difficult to sell the magazine

Big Issue seller, Bevan Hebberman, said the tough economic conditions was making it more difficult to sell the magazine He said was forced to discount the magazine to makes sales

The Big Issue has been helping disadvantaged and homeless Australians for almost 30 years.

Bevan Hebberman, who lives in the regional town of Bunbury in Western Australian, has been able to work independently to support himself by selling the magazines.

In December The Big Issue price jumped from $7 to $9.

Mr Hebberman said he has been forced to discount the magazine to encourage cash strapped customers in the CBD to buy the product.

"I like selling the magazine but it's too expensive," he said.

Even though he was not earning full price on all magazines, the 62-year-old was sure he was better off lowering the price by $2 and selling more magazines.

The Big Issue is sold in Bunbury. ( ABC South West: Beth Ferguson )

Price jump 'very marketable'

The Big Issue price was fixed at $7 from 2015 until December 2018 when it was raised.

Mr Hebbermann said he has complained and asked for the price to be brought down but the suggestion has fallen on deaf ears.

The Big Issue chief communications officer, Emma O'Halloran, said the response to December's price rise had been low key.

Ms O'Halloran said while it was of concern she was not aware of any other sellers discounting the cover price in order to sell magazines.

"We support vendors to sell a product that we feel is very marketable at the $9 price," she said.

Despite a slight decrease in the number of copies being sold last financial year, The Big Issue had its most successful year in its history with sellers earning a collective $2.3 million.

The Big Issue sellers say the increase in price is making it more difficult to sell the magazine. ( ABC South West: Beth Ferguson )

'Financial insecurity in our community'

Mr Hebberman has a damaged optic nerve — a result of a lack of oxygen when he was born, leaving him with vision impairment.

Each day he rides his bike several kilometres into Bunbury's CBD to work, selling the Big Issue.

Community service and social justice organisation Anglicare WA said they saw firsthand the hardship people were facing around the state.

"We are living in tough economic times for many people in our community," said director of services at Anglicare WA, Philippa Boldy.

"The experience of a seller struggling to sell enough Big Issues to make a decent living … is testament to the degree of financial insecurity that people in our community are experiencing."