MasterChef Australia series 16


The sixteenth series of the Australian television cooking show MasterChef Australia was announced in October 2023 and premiered on 22 April 2024 on Network Ten. Series 4 winner Andy Allen returned as judge from the previous series having held the role since series 12, whilst Melissa Leong left the show to judge the second series of Dessert Masters and Jock Zonfrillo died prior to the broadcast of the previous series. Food writer Sofia Levin, French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and series 1 runner-up Poh Ling Yeow took over as judges, replacing Leong and Zonfrillo.
The series was won by Nat Thaipun in the grand finale against Josh Perry, broadcast on 16 July 2024.

Changes

Unlike previous series, the number of judges was increased from three to four and the program was broadcast only four nights per week. The number of contestants also increased from 18 in the previous series to 22, however, remained less than the typical 24 contestants. Like the previous two series, the audition stage was not broadcast.
The Second Chance Challenge returns where the eliminated contestants compete for a spot back in the competition. In addition, the returning contestant will also be safe at Sunday's Elimination.
Like the twelfth series, there was only one immunity pin up for grabs for the series at the start of the competition.

Contestants

Top 22

The Top 22 was announced on 14 April 2024.
ContestantAgeStateOccupationStatus
Nat Thaipun28VICBaristaWinner 16 July
Josh Perry43TASButcher
Savindri Perera30SABanking consultantThird place 15 July
Returned 29 May
Eliminated 28 May
Harry Butterfield29QLDCommercial propertyEliminated 9 July
Mimi Wong25NSWHigh school teacherEliminated 7 July
Darrsh Clarke31WAManagement consultantEliminated 2 July
Lachlan Whittle34VICLandscape gardenerEliminated 30 June
Sumeet Saigal46NSWSales managerEliminated 19 June
Alex Crisp27WASales representativeEliminated 18 June
Gillian Dinh31NSWLettering artistEliminated 16 June
Josh Clarke27QLDCoffee roasterEliminated 9 June
Sue Bazely58VICCustomer managerEliminated 5 June
David Tan30QLDPharmacologistEliminated 2 June
Stephen Dennis62QLDTour guideEliminated 26 May
Snezana Calic40VICFinancial servicesEliminated 21 May
Juan de la Cruz Torales Villarreal39NSWBoard game designerEliminated 19 May
Lourdes Leschen22VICMarketing coordinatorEliminated 14 May
Lily Davies30NSWFormer nurseEliminated 12 May
Khristian Walker26VICInsurance servicesEliminated 7 May
Jonathan Hooper29NSWCarpenterEliminated 5 May
Steph Griffen28QLDEvents managerEliminated 30 April
James Holmes38WAPrimary school teacherEliminated 28 April

Future appearances
  • Savindri Perera, Darrsh Clarke and Snezana Calic appeared on Series 17 for another chance to win. Savindri was eliminated on 6 May 2025, finishing 22nd. Darrsh was eliminated on 8 June 2025, finishing 15th and Snezana was eliminated on 20 July 2025, finishing 7th. Nat Thaipun later appeared as a guest judge for an elimination challenge.
  • Savindri will be a judge on the new MasterChef Sri Lanka series.

    Guest chefs

WeekGuestChallenge
1
Jamie OliverSeries premiere
1
Jamie OliverTeam service challenge
2
Jamie OliverPressure test
4Liam DownesPressure test
5
Luke NguyenElimination challenge
5
Vincent Yeow LimMystery Box challenge
5
Anna PolyviouPressure test
6Mikiko TerasakiElimination challenge
6Darren PurchesePressure test
7Rick SteinElimination challenge
7Curtis StoneElimination challenge
7Curtis StoneImmunity challenge
8
Adriano ZumboMystery box
8
Adriano ZumboImmunity challenge
8
Adriano ZumboInvention test
8
Adriano ZumboElimination challenge
9Nagi MaehashiMystery box
9Hugh AllenPressure test
10
Vicky ChengImmunity challenge
11Guillaume BrahimiPressure test
12
Josh NilandPressure test
12
Curtis StoneService challenge
12
Clare SmythPressure test

Elimination chart

Episodes and ratings

  • From 28 January 2024, OzTAM ratings changed. Viewership data now focus on National Reach and National Total ratings instead of the 5 metro centres and overnight shares.