The sixteenth season of the Australian reality television series Big Brother, also known as Big Brother 2025, marks the return of the program to original broadcaster Network 10 after the network concluded production of the show following its eighth season in 2008.
The season introduces Mel Tracina as host, and features the return of narrator Mike Goldman. Production of the series returns to the original location at Dreamworld for the first time since the eleventh season in 2014.[1][2] It premiered on 9 November 2025 and will conclude sometime in December 2025, making it the shortest regular season on Channel 10 to date.
Format
Like other seasons of the show, the series revolves around a group of strangers living in a house together with no communication with the outside world. Referred to as "housemates", the group is constantly filmed during their time in the house and are not permitted to communicate with those filming them, except with the titular "Big Brother" – an embodiment of the show's producers.
Unlike seasons 12 to 15, which aired on Seven Network, this season features the original format, which emphasises the show as a social experiment and does not emphasise competitive aspects. Every week, the housemates vote who they wish to leave the house, with those receiving the most votes being nominated for eviction. The Australian public votes for which nominee should be evicted, with the evictee leaving during a live show. This process continues until only one housemate remains to win the grand prize. Additionally, the show will return to being filmed live, as opposed to being pre-recorded, as was the case when the show was on the Seven Network.
Production
On 16 September 2024, it was confirmed that Big Brother would be returning to its original broadcaster Network 10, which aired the show from its inception in 2001 until 2008, for its sixteenth season in 2025, after reacquiring the rights to the show following its cancellation on Nine Network and Seven Network in 2014 and 2023 respectively. Comedian, Nova radio host and The Cheap Seats showbiz correspondent Mel Tracina was announced as the new host, taking over from Sonia Kruger.[3]Mike Goldman returned to the program as narrator, having previously narrated seasons 1-11 on 10 and Nine.[4] The promo advertising the return noted the series' return to its original format with 24-hour live streaming, live nominations and evictions and prominently featured footage from the original Network 10 iteration of the series. On 27 July 2025, it was confirmed that the new house will be located at the original location at Dreamworld, with the announcement also coinciding with the opening of the casting call for the new series.[5][6]
An updated promo for the series, featuring Mel Tracina and advertising a November airdate aired during the finale of Australian Survivor: Australia V The World in September.[7] A second promo began airing in early October, featuring "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish and announcing the 9 November launch date.[8] The launch show was recorded the day before premiering on 8 November. Due to weather conditions, filming was paused during the recording after several housemates had already entered, however was completed later that day.[9][10] Gold Coast-based voice artist Pete Cunningham provided the voice of Big Brother after Leon Murray (who had served as the deputy Big Brother in the 2008 and 2012–2014 seasons) was replaced at the last minute.[11]
Housemates
The 12 original housemates were revealed and entered on the Launch Night.
On Launch night, a vote opened for two potential housemates, 67-year-old Jane Marshall-Doherty and 36-year-old Mitchell "Mitch" Miletic, who faced Australia's vote to become the 13th housemate.[12]
This season, the prize money started at $100,000. However, housemates can add to the prize pool by successfully completing various tasks, similar to the format in season 7.
Event
Money earned
Money available
Running total
Week 1
Initial amount
$100,000
$100,000
$100,000
Ranking shopping task
$25,000
$60,000
$125,000 (of $160,000)
Head Housemate
After each eviction, the evicted housemate would be able to select a housemate to become a "Head Housemate". The Head Housemate would be able to allocate household chores for each housemate, sleep in the big bed in the bedroom, as well as controlling the weekly shop for the house. They would also be immune from eviction and able to influence nominations.
Evicted Housemate
Selected Head Housemate
Week 2
Michael
Holly
Weekly summary
The main events of the sixteenth season are summarised in the table below.
Week 1
Entrances
During the Launch, Colin, Allana, Coco, Conor, Abiola, Vinnie, Emily, Bruce, Holly, Edward, Mia and Michael entered the house.
On Day 2, Jane entered the house after being voted by Australia to be the 13th housemate.
Tasks
During the Launch, housemates brought their suitcases with them, but were instructed to leave them outside prior to entering. Unbeknownst to them, the contents of their luggage were confiscated and placed in the "BB Bargain Basement." Throughout the course of the week, housemates gained the opportunity to "purchase" their personal belongings from the store.
On Days 1 and 2, housemates participated in their first shopping task, where they ranked themselves from most to least in six different categories, trying to match who the public voted as the "most" and "least" in that category. Each correct answer earned $50 to the shopping budget and $5,000 to the overall prize fund. They got 5 out of 12 answers correct, earning $250 for the shopping budget and $25,000 to the prize money.
On Day 1, as a result of being voted as the most deserving of a new wardrobe in the shopping task, Emily was granted access to "shop" in the "BB Bargain Basement" for 30 seconds, however, she could only pick other housemates' personal belongings. On the same day, Colin was also granted access to the "BB Bargain Basement" for 30 seconds as a consolation prize from the shopping task. He was also given clean underwear and fresh dental kits for the entire house.
On Day 2, housemates were given a chance to "buy" two items each from the "BB Bargain Basement".
On Day 4, housemates, except for Jane, were given a last chance to get their belongings back by begging for them at "BB's Bargain Bin".
On Day 5, Abiola and Emily were given a secret task to setup a secret party in the party room by gathering items around the house. They succeeded the task and thus earned the house with an "unforgettable" party.
Twists
On Day 2, upon entering the house, Jane was given a secret mission to hide from the original housemates for 90 seconds in one of Big Brother's hiding spots. If she successfully hid from the housemates, she would receive immunity from the first eviction. If she was caught before time was up, she would be automatically nominated for the first eviction. She failed the task after being caught by Conor with only five seconds left, making her nominated for the first eviction.
Nominations
On Day 4, housemates nominated for the first time. Holly and Michael received the most amount of points (21 and 13 points respectively) and thus, faced the public vote this week alongside Jane.
Exits
On Day 8, Michael became the first housemate to be evicted, after receiving the fewest votes to save.
Week 2
Twists
On Day 8, following his eviction, Michael named Holly as the first Head Housemate.
Nominations
Tasks
Exits
Nominations table
This season, similar to seasons 9 to 11, housemates are given five nomination points between their two nominations, with a maximum of four points to be allocated to any one housemate. The three or more housemates with the most points face the public vote.
Note: The Head Housemate each week it was in play is marked in green.
^Note 1 : Jane was voted into the house by Australia on Day 2. As she entered, she was given a mission to sneak into the house and hide. The Housemates then had 90 seconds to find her. The reward for not being found was immunity. However, as she was found, she failed her task, and was therefore nominated for eviction.
^Note 2 : As a result of Jane’s nomination, only two or more housemates with the most nomination points would face eviction.
Ratings
Ratings are rounded to the nearest ten thousand. Viewership data is from OzTAM and represents the National average viewership.
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