Married At First Sight Australia has been issued with multiple SafeWork NSW notices after several participants alleged unsafe behaviour and conditions while filming the reality show.
Since 2025, SafeWork NSW received five requests for service over alleged health and safety issues related to MAFS, the department told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, which first reported the story, the allegations were raised to SafeWork NSW by several MAFS participants and one viewer, and stem from the show’s 12th season, which aired in 2025.
The accusations reportedly include a MAFS bride being filmed in the shower without her consent, non-consensual touching by a groom, and production members blocking exits to stop participants leaving sets.
According to the SMH, SafeWork NSW launched its investigation after a MAFS viewer reported an alleged off-camera incident where groom Paul Antione punched a hole in a wall.
The incident was addressed on air, with Antione saying it was “not the right thing to do” and MAFS expert John Aiken describing it as “toxic, inappropriate and unacceptable”.
The viewer complaint led to a SafeWork NSW investigation that prompted three MAFS participants to make a slew of allegations against fellow participants and production staff.
One allegation raised in the investigation, per the SMH, was a general lack of privacy for participants, including the one bride who claimed she was filmed in the shower without her knowledge or consent.
It was also alleged that producers had keys to participants’ apartments to access at any time, and that they prohibited the cast from taking off their mics while using the bathroom.
Other allegations related to “violence and aggression” towards the MAFS cast by producers, and one groom who was accused of non-consensual touching.
Producers allegedly physically blocked participants from exiting scenes, “intimidated” them when they refused to film because they were unwell, and “baited and harassed” them to encourage emotional responses.
More broadly, SafeWork NSW reportedly heard instances of challenging production schedules and work conditions, including long filming hours with few breaks, strict cast curfews, and participants being discouraged from speaking to other castmates outside of filming.
In a statement to PEDESTRIAN.TV a spokesperson for SafeWork NSW confirmed it had received complaints “raising an alleged work health and safety issue related to the television program Married at First Sight Australia”.
The spokesperson said that as a result of its investigation, SafeWork NSW had issued MAFS with “three improvement notices” around improving its reporting of on-set incidents, managing physical and psychological hazards while filming, and undergoing workplace health and safety training.
SafeWork NSW added that the investigation is closed, but said it is still monitoring MAFS’ compliance to its notices. “The SafeWork NSW Commissioner will shortly be meeting with the show’s executives,” the spokesperson said.
In a statement to PEDESTRIAN.TV, NSW Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said the “allegations are deeply concerning”.
“The production studio where this program is filmed is the workplace of these participants — they deserve to feel safe.
“The safety of all existing and future participants should be a key focus of the production company. I have asked SafeWork to continue to update me on this matter,” Cotsis said.
In a statement to PEDESTRIAN.TV a spokesperson for Channel 9 said: “Nine and Endemol Shine Australia have welcomed working with SafeWork NSW and have engaged fully and transparently with them.
“Participant welfare is always the primary consideration in every work health and safety decision we make.”
PEDESTRIAN.TV is wholly owned by Nine Entertainment Co.
It comes after the UK version of MAFS, which is not connected to Channel 9 or Endemol Shine, came under fire following two brides’ claims they were raped while filming the show.
9Now pulled the MAFS UK episodes relating to the brides’ claims as a result.
Lead images: Channel 9
The post MAFS Hit With SafeWork Notices Over Alleged ‘Violence & Aggression’ & ‘Non-Consensual Touching’ appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
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