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

A spokesperson for New South Wales Police Force told BBC News: "On Monday 24 August 2026, officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command commenced an investigation following a report of inappropriate content being shared.

"Following inquiries, the matter will be referred to WA [Western Australia] Police Force."

BBC News has approached WA Police Force, who said the referral has not yet been received.

A spokesperson for Channel Nine said: "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, who urged 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 told us she was not told the man she had been matched with had a previous drug conviction and only found out after the show ended. "There should be informed consent," she told us.

Responding to those claims at the time, Channel 9 and Endemol Shine Australia said they had "strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing".

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

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 revealed that a cast member from MAFS UK had been arrested on suspicion of rape following the Panorama programme.

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

The media regulator Ofcom has also launched an official investigation into the hit Channel 4 show.

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

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

Channel 4's chief executive previously said 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 said the report was due back "any day now".

BBC News has approached Channel 4 for a response.

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

If you have more information about this story, you can reach Noor by email at noor.nanji@bbc.co.uk