MasterChef Australia has crowned 15 champions since it first hit Network 10 screens in 2009. From office manager Julie Goodwin’s historic first win to Brent Draper’s redemption story in 2023, here’s the complete, season-by-season list of every MasterChef Australia winner, runner-up, judge panel and prize money.
Quick Reference: All MasterChef Australia Winners (Season 1–15)
| Season | Year | Winner | Runner-up | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2009 | Julie Goodwin | Poh Ling Yeow | $250,000 |
| 2 | 2010 | Adam Liaw | Callum Hann | $250,000 |
| 3 | 2011 | Kate Bracks | Michael Weldon | $250,000 |
| 4 | 2012 | Andy Allen | Julia Taylor | $250,000 |
| 5 | 2013 | Emma Dean | Lynton Tapp | $250,000 |
| 6 | 2014 | Brent Owens | Laura Cassai | $250,000 |
| 7 | 2015 | Billie McKay | Georgia Barnes | $250,000 |
| 8 | 2016 | Elena Duggan | Matt Sinclair | $250,000 |
| 9 | 2017 | Diana Chan | Ben Ungermann | $250,000 |
| 10 | 2018 | Sashi Cheliah | Ben Borsht | $250,000 |
| 11 | 2019 | Larissa Takchi | Tessa Boersma | $250,000 |
| 12 | 2020 | Emelia Jackson | Laura Sharrad | $250,000 |
| 13 | 2021 | Justin Narayan | Pete Campbell | $250,000 |
| 14 | 2022 | Billie McKay (2nd win) | Sarah Todd | $250,000 |
| 15 | 2023 | Brent Draper | Rhiannon Anderson | $250,000 |
Season 1 (2009): Julie Goodwin
MasterChef Australia’s very first champion was Julie Goodwin, a 38-year-old office manager from New South Wales, who defeated artist Poh Ling Yeow in the finale on 19 July 2009. The finale was watched by over 3.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched TV program of the year in Australia.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Host: Sarah Wilson
Season 2 (2010): Adam Liaw
31-year-old lawyer Adam Liaw beat runner-up Callum Hann to take the title on 25 July 2010. Liaw went on to become one of the most successful winners in the franchise’s history, building a career as a cookbook author, TV host and food writer.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 3 (2011): Kate Bracks
Kate Bracks, a 35-year-old homemaker, won against Michael Weldon on 7 August 2011. This season introduced Matt Moran as a guest judge alongside the regular panel.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 4 (2012): Andy Allen
Andy Allen, then a 24-year-old apprentice electrician, won the title on 25 July 2012, defeating Julia Taylor. Allen later returned to the show years later as a permanent judge, replacing the original judging panel.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 5 (2013): Emma Dean
Emma Dean, a town planner from Victoria, won on 1 September 2013 with Lynton Tapp as runner-up. This season shifted its casting focus toward contestant personalities, a change that wasn’t well received by longtime fans.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 6 (2014): Brent Owens
Bobcat driver Brent Owens, 24, from Victoria won on 28 July 2014, beating Laura Cassai. This season featured a full themed week with Heston Blumenthal and Marco Pierre White.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 7 (2015): Billie McKay
Restaurant manager Billie McKay, 24, from New South Wales won her first title on 27 July 2015, defeating Georgia Barnes. The finale drew 2.2 million viewers, the highest-rating non-sport TV event of that year.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 8 (2016): Elena Duggan
School teacher Elena Duggan, 32, won on 26 July 2016, beating Matt Sinclair in the finale.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 9 (2017): Diana Chan
Accountant Diana Chan, 29, from Victoria took the title on 24 July 2017, defeating Ben Ungermann.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 10 (2018): Sashi Cheliah
Prison officer Sashi Cheliah, 39, from South Australia won on 31 July 2018 with a near-perfect final score of 93 out of 100, beating Ben Borsht. Cheliah later opened his own restaurant and became one of the show’s most celebrated winners.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 11 (2019): Larissa Takchi
22-year-old restaurant manager Larissa Takchi won on 23 July 2019, beating Tessa Boersma, with Simon Toohey finishing third. This was the final season for the original judging trio of Mehigan, Calombaris and Preston.
Judges: Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
Season 12 (2020): Emelia Jackson — “Back to Win”
Season 12, subtitled Back to Win, brought back past contestants for a second shot at the title. Cake designer Emelia Jackson won on 20 July 2020, beating Laura Sharrad. This season introduced the new judging panel that would define the show for years to come.
Judges: Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo (new panel debut)
Season 13 (2021): Justin Narayan
Perth-based youth pastor Justin Narayan won the title on 13 July 2021, narrowly beating Pete Campbell by a single point, with Kishwar Chowdhury finishing third. Narayan became the second contestant of Indian origin to win MasterChef Australia, after Sashi Cheliah.
Judges: Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo
Season 14 (2022): Billie McKay — “Fans & Favourites”
Season 14, subtitled Fans & Favourites, saw Billie McKay make history by winning MasterChef Australia for a second time, beating Sarah Todd in the finale on 12 July 2022. This made her the first and only two-time champion in the show’s history.
Judges: Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo
Season 15 (2023): Brent Draper — “Secrets & Surprises”
Season 15, subtitled Secrets & Surprises, was won by Brent Draper, a 32-year-old digital content creator from Queensland, on 16 July 2023. Draper had previously appeared on Season 13 but withdrew for mental health reasons before returning to claim the title, beating runner-up Rhiannon Anderson. This was also the final season filmed before judge Jock Zonfrillo’s death.
Judges: Andy Allen, Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo
MasterChef Australia Judges Timeline
- Seasons 1–11 (2009–2019): Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris, Matt Preston
- Seasons 12–15 (2020–2023): Andy Allen (Season 4 winner), Melissa Leong, Jock Zonfrillo
MasterChef Australia Prize Money
Unlike MasterChef India, the prize money has remained consistent at A$250,000 across every season from Season 1 through Season 15, along with the MasterChef trophy and a cookbook publishing deal.
Fun Facts About MasterChef Australia Winners
- Only two-time winner: Billie McKay (Seasons 7 and 14)
- Youngest winner: Larissa Takchi, 22 (Season 11)
- Judge-turned-winner: Andy Allen won Season 4, then became a judge from Season 12 onward
- Indian-origin winners: Sashi Cheliah (Season 10) and Justin Narayan (Season 13)
FAQs
Who was the first MasterChef Australia winner? Julie Goodwin, in 2009.
Who is the only two-time MasterChef Australia winner? Billie McKay, who won Season 7 (2015) and Season 14 (2022).
How much prize money do MasterChef Australia winners get? A$250,000, consistent across all 15 seasons.
Who won MasterChef Australia in 2023? Brent Draper won Season 15, “Secrets & Surprises.”