Big Brother (Australian TV series) season 16

The sixteenth season of the Australian reality television series Big Brother, also known as Big Brother 2025, marked 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 introduced Mel Tracina as host, and featured the return of narrator Mike Goldman. Production of the series returned to the original location at Dreamworld for the first time since the eleventh season in 2014. It premiered on 9 November 2025 and concluded on 8 December 2025, making it the shortest regular season on Channel 10 to date. The winner of the season was Coco Beeby, who won a total of A$135,000.

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 featured the original format, which emphasised the show as a social experiment and did not emphasise competitive aspects. Although promoted as a return to the original format, the revival only partially restored the traditional live elements; the live format returned, but the show remained highly edited with producer-guided narratives instead of the looser, continuous style of the early years. 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 to save their favourite nominee with the housemate receiving the least save votes being evicted during a live show. This process continued until only one housemate remains to win the grand prize. Additionally, the show returned 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. Mike Goldman returned to the program as narrator, having previously narrated seasons 1-11 on 10 and Nine. The promo advertising the return noted the series' return to its original format with 24-hour live streaming (which would be hosted on 10's online streaming service, as a Pluto TV channel hosted on the app), 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 return to Dreamworld and be constructed inside of the Exhibition Centre, with the announcement also coinciding with the opening of the casting call for the new series.

An updated promo for the series, featuring Mel Tracina and advertising a November airdate aired during the finale of ' in September. A second promo began airing in early October, featuring "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish and announcing the 9 November launch date. 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. 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.

Colour key:

• : Australia voted Jane into the house on Day 2. She was given a mission to sneak into the house and hide. The Housemates then had 90 seconds to find her. The reward for remaining hidden was immunity. However, as she was found, she failed her task and was nominated for eviction. As a result of Jane’s nomination, only two or more housemates with the most points would be nominated.
• : Week 2 was a Double Eviction. Following Jane's eviction by Australia's Vote, the phone rang with one randomly chosen viewer determining the next evictee by saving one of the remaining nominees (Allana or Mia), leaving the other evicted.
• : As Jane appointed the next Head Housemate, Mia was given the power to vote in Week 3's Nominations following her eviction. Her votes were broadcast to the house in a goodbye message.
• : On Day 20, Big Brother offered a bribe to the Housemates not nominated in Week 3's Eviction to leave the house with $15,000, which would be taken from the Prize Fund. Abiola accepted the bribe.
• : As a result of receiving a Christmas gift, Edward could vote with 10 nomination points to nominate two housemates. His votes were broadcast to the rest of the Housemates.
• : On Day 23, voting took place for approximately 4 hours after Week 4's Live Nominations, resulting in an Instant Eviction in the early morning of Day 24 after the Housemates were woken up for the carolling task.
• : For this round of nominations, the four or more housemates with the most points would be nominated.
• : On Day 27, an Instant Eviction occurred when Big Brother gave everyone their letters from home. Edward was evicted from the house after receiving the fewest votes to save from Australia. Voting remained open for the remaining nominees for a second Eviction on Day 29. As Edward’s Eviction was only revealed on Episode 26 (which aired on Day 29), the option to vote for Edward on the website remained open; however, any votes cast would not count.
• : On Day 29, voting opened for Australia to vote for the winner of Big Brother Australia 2025 and the $135,000 prize between the 5 Finalists.
• : During the Finale, Mel offered the Finalist a bribe of a new Suzuki Jimny XL (valued at $43,000) if they chose to forfeit their opportunity to win the grand prize. Bruce and Allanna accepted the offer and participated in a game of chance to decide the car's winner. Allanna won the game and the car and left the house.