Police investigate Married at First Sight Australia after 'inappropriate' allegations

ByNoor Nanji Culture correspondent.

Key points

• Channel Nine, which broadcasts Married at First Sight Australia, confirmed that it was "aware of a police investigation" involving the show's production firm.
• A spokesperson for Channel Nine remarked: "We are aware of a police investigation involving Endemol Shine Australia and all enquiries should be directed to them."
• Responding to those claims at the time, Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia remarked they had "strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing".
• Speaking to MPs earlier this week, Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes remarked the report was due back "any day now".
• Married at First Sight Australia is facing fresh controversy after police introduced an investigation into the hit reality TV show.

New South Wales informed BBC News that inquiries had taken place "following a report of inappropriate content being shared".

After a BBC News investigation earlier this year into MAFS Australia made public cast members stated they had not been informed their partners had previous drug and violence convictions, it is the latest blow for the show.

Those revelations led to a warning from Australia's media watchdog. It called them "serious and disturbing".

For context, the British version of Married at First Sight, known to plenty of as MAFS UK, was separately plunged into crisis in May after BBC Panorama noted rape allegations from two female cast members – allegations the men involved have denied.

MAFS UK is created by a different production business to the Australian version.

Married at First Sight demonstrates single residents agreeing to "marry" total strangers after session for the first time at their mock weddings.

In practice, the marriages are not legally binding, but viewers see the couples go on "honeymoons", before moving in together and navigating their relationships – all while being filmed, almost every day.

According to industry news website TV Blackbox, external, a male cast member on the current series of MAFS Australia created a formal complaint to the police after producers allegedly shared private information concerning him with his on-screen bride.

Married at First Sight Australia stars not informed partners had drug and violence convictions. Married at First Sight Australia allegations 'disturbing', notes country's watchdog.

Married at First Sight UK brides tell BBC they were raped by on-screen husbands.

Notably, a spokesperson for New South Wales Police Force informed BBC News: On Monday 24 August 2026, officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command commenced an investigation after a report of inappropriate content being shared. Following inquiries, the matter will be referred to WA Police Force.

BBC News has approached WA Police Force. This person remarked the referral has not yet been received.

Notably, a spokesperson for Channel Nine remarked: "We are aware of a police investigation involving Endemol Shine Australia and all enquiries should be directed to them."

Endemol Shine Australia, which makes MAFS Australia, has not responded to multiple requests for comment over the latest developments.

In June, a BBC News investigation heard from nine former cast members from MAFS Australia. This person pressed the show to improve its background checks and to stop allowing individuals with previous convictions or allegations on the show.

One woman from last year's Australian series informed us she was not informed the man she had been matched with had a previous drug conviction and only discovered out after the show concluded. "There should be informed consent, " she informed us.

Responding to those claims at the time, Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia remarked they had "strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing". MAFS UK review due back 'any day now'.

As well as being a massive hit in Australia, the show is popular in the UK and is shown on Channel 4.

Meanwhile, the broadcaster pulled all the UK episodes of MAFS from its streaming service just hours ahead of the transmission of the Panorama investigation in May, but MAFS Australia remains available to watch.

In July, BBC News made public that a cast member from MAFS UK had been arrested on suspicion of rape after the Panorama programme.

In practice, the individual is not being named; nor is the alleged victim. Anyone who makes an allegation of rape is entitled to anonymity by law.

Notably, the media regulator Ofcom has additionally rolled out an official investigation into the hit Channel 4 show.

In practice, the UK version, which has been running for 10 seasons, is one of Channel 4's biggest demonstrates, with audience figures often topping three million.

Meanwhile, the broadcaster has commissioned a review into contributor welfare on the show. Nevertheless, it only intends to publish "a summary of findings", rather than the full report.

Channel 4's chief executive previously remarked the review was due back in the summer, but it has not yet been published.

Speaking to MPs earlier this week, Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes remarked the report was due back "any day now". BBC News has approached Channel 4 for a response.

Lawyers for CPL, the independent production firm that makes the UK version of the show, have previously stated its welfare system is "gold standard" and industry-leading.

If you have more information regarding this story, you can reach Noor by email at [email protected].

In short, police investigate Married at First Sight Australia after ' inappropriate' allegations is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.