“Big Brother Australia” is back for another season, with 14 new housemates settling in Brisbane, ready to compete for the $100,000 cash prize.
Hosted by Mel Tracina, the 2026 season promises plenty of twists, with several contestants already hiding surprising connections to former housemates – and, in some cases, each other.
Following the show’s return in 2025, which saw Coco Beeby crowned the winner and take home $135,000, “Big Brother Australia” has unveiled a brand-new house, a new diary room and a fresh lineup of contestants. However, the new arrivals haven’t exactly received a warm welcome. Monday night’s premiere saw the housemates discover that several essentials were missing from their new home, including beds, running water and even the diary room chair, leaving them to sleep on the floor.
Among this year’s contestants are the sister of two-time “Big Brother” winner Reggie Bird, the mother of a former housemate and two siblings who have been tasked with keeping their relationship a secret from their fellow contestants.
Ahead of the premiere, Tracina told PEDESTRIAN.TV that she already had a potential winner in mind after watching the audition tapes.
“I feel like I already know who could win. Just based on, I want to say likability, but also probably layers,” she teased. “When you have an audition tape, you can find out a little bit more about someone because they’re more forthcoming and explaining their life, right? But when they enter the house, it might be something that slowly comes out as the time progresses.”
Here’s everything to know about the 14 housemates competing on “Big Brother Australia” in 2026.
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Anita, 47 – Tasmania
Travel advisor Anita is no stranger to the “Big Brother” franchise, with her sister Reggie Bird having won the reality series twice. A full-time carer for her mother, Anita has entered the house hoping to do something for herself. Outside of her family commitments, she enjoys skateboarding, solo travelling and has even taken a mannequin on a road trip around Australia.
Austin, 22 – Queensland
A 22-year-old carpenter from Queensland, Austin works alongside his father and brother in the family business. The young tradie is also a keen surfer and hopes to build strong friendships with his fellow contestants during his time in the house.
Charity, 29 – New South Wales
Growing up in a family of 13 siblings, Charity is no stranger to sharing a home with plenty of people. The 29-year-old describes family, faith and fun as central to her life and hopes to bring a positive attitude to the house. However, she has also made it clear that she has little patience for selfish behaviour.
Ebony, 23 – Victoria
Self-made entrepreneur Ebony is entering the competition with confidence and no intention of holding back. The 23-year-old admits her strong opinions may cause friction with other contestants, but she’s more focused on winning than making friends. She’s also made it clear that household chores aren’t among her priorities.
Harmon, 29 – Queensland
IT salesman Harmon has pursued a range of interests, from cryptocurrency mining to podcasting, and isn’t afraid to stir up a little controversy. Having grown up in a strict immigrant household, the 29-year-old says he enjoys pushing boundaries and playing pranks, something that could make him an unpredictable presence in the house.
Heath, 23 – Queensland
Gold Coast engineering student Heath is hoping his outgoing personality will help him connect with his fellow contestants. Also a musician and sewing enthusiast, the 23-year-old fronts a band and says he’s looking forward to disconnecting from the outside world. Despite his easygoing nature, he’s also entering the competition with a strategic mindset.
Kyrah, 25 – New South Wales
Secondary school English and drama teacher Kyrah was the first contestant to enter the Big Brother house this season. Known for her infectious laugh and outspoken personality, the 25-year-old is academically sharp but admits she can be disorganised. “Well, if you’re not first, if you’re last. Hell yeah. I’m so excited,” she said as she prepared to enter the house.
Marshy (Andrew), 24 – South Australia
Andrew, better known as Marshy, is a forklift salesman who describes himself as the “Italian Jason Momoa.” Currently Toyota’s leading forklift salesman in Australia, the 24-year-old hopes his confidence and sense of humour will help him win over audiences. He’s also a self-confessed serial dater with a lengthy list of relationship dealbreakers, including toe rings and backpacks.
Matthew, 37 – Victoria
Property investor Matthew is entering the house with a larger-than-life personality and little interest in avoiding confrontation. Describing himself as an “alpha,” the 37-year-old says he isn’t afraid to stand up for himself, even if that means clashing with more sensitive housemates. He also has an unexpected talent for breakdancing, which could come in handy when tensions rise.
Matty, 39 – Western Australia
Matty describes himself as a “textbook Aussie bogan,” but says there’s more to him than first impressions suggest. With a degree in mining engineering and an MBA, the 39-year-old enjoys being underestimated and hopes his quick wit and sense of humour will help him navigate the competition. He’s also outspoken about his views, which could make for some interesting conversations with his fellow housemates.
Pam, 62 – South Australia
At 62, Pam is the oldest contestant in this year’s lineup, but she’s determined not to let age stand in the way of winning. A teacher and fiercely competitive personality, Pam has already considered using tears as part of her strategy, while also hoping to form genuine friendships. She also has a family connection to the series, as the mother of former “Big Brother” contestant Kieran Davidson.
Pheobe, 26 – Queensland
Describing herself as the house’s resident entertainer, Pheobe is hoping to bring plenty of humour and energy to the competition. The 26-year-old is an avid ABBA fan who admits she hasn’t had much luck in love, leaving open the possibility of a romance developing during her time in the house.
Ryan, 27 – New South Wales
Garden-centre manager Ryan is hoping his outgoing personality and family-oriented nature will make him a popular housemate. But the 27-year-old is entering the competition with a secret: his sister Tahlia is also among this year’s contestants. The siblings have been tasked with keeping their relationship hidden from the other housemates, adding another layer of strategy to the competition.
Tahlia, 25 – Victoria
Tahlia is entering the house alongside her brother Ryan, although their fellow contestants aren’t supposed to know they’re related. Known for her dry sense of humour and ability to connect with strangers, the 25-year-old hopes to build relationships in the house without revealing the sibling connection. Whether the pair can keep their secret under wraps remains to be seen.
“Big Brother Australia” will air Mondays-Fridays at 7:30pm, and Sundays at 7pm. In addition to the regular episodes, viewers can follow the housemates around the clock through the show’s dedicated live feeds.
The live streams are available through Network 10, while a dedicated “Big Brother” channel is also accessible via LG Channels on select LG Smart TVs.
With $100,000 on the line, the winner will ultimately be decided by the Australian public.