MasterChef Australia (Season 18)

Auditions: Group 1 (Episode 1)

Air date: 2026-04-19

Runtime: 79 min

Overview: MasterChef Australia returns with auditions and 40 of the country's best home cooks are ready. Tonight 20 cooks have 90 minutes to cook their dream dish in order to win one of the 10 aprons on offer.

Auditions: Group 2 (Episode 2)

Air date: 2026-04-20

Runtime: 58 min

Overview: Another 20 home cooks enter the MasterChef kitchen to compete for 10 aprons on offer. For those who miss out, they learn there will be one final chance to cook for the last four aprons tomorrow.

Auditions: Second Chance (Episode 3)

Air date: 2026-04-21

Runtime: 53 min

Overview: Tonight, the 20 remaining hopefuls have a second and final chance to cook their way into the competition. Just who will score themselves one of the final four places?

Mystery Box: Jimmy Barnes (Episode 4)

Air date: 2026-04-26

Runtime: 75 min

Overview: Aussie Rock legend Jimmy Barnes set this season's first mystery box, inspiring the Top 24 with seasonal ingredients they love to cook with. Dish of the day will see its maker safe from elimination.

Elimination Challenge: Family Favourites (Episode 5)

Air date: 2026-04-27

Runtime: 50 min

Overview: In the first elimination of the competition, 23 cooks will show the judges a window into their homelife, through a favourite dish that they cook at home for their loved ones.

Invention Test: Cereal (Episode 6)

Air date: 2026-04-28

Runtime: 48 min

Overview: It's the return of a MasterChef classic with an Invention Test challenging cooks to create an inventive dish using cereal.

Pressure Test: Maggie Beer (Episode 7)

Air date: 2026-04-29

Runtime: 52 min

Overview: The bottom five cooks from the Invention Test face off in a Pressure Test set by MasterChef favourite Maggie Beer, tasked with mastering her signature sour cream pastry in a high-stakes pie challenge.

Immunity Challenge: Andy Cooks (Episode 8)

Air date: 2026-05-03

Runtime: 63 min

Overview: It's Family Favourites week and social media sensation Andy Cooks (chef Andy Hearnden) is on the hunt for the ultimate breakfast, in an immunity challenge cook with 60 minutes on the clock.

Elimination Challenge: Reinventing Carbs (Episode 9)

Air date: 2026-05-04

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: In an elimination challenge centred on reinventing the judges' quick carb midweek dinner recipes, mistakes and time pressure sends one cook home.

Team Challenge: Family Feast (Episode 10)

Air date: 2026-05-05

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: It is the first team challenge of the series, and the contestants are all eager to see how well they can work together. The bottom two teams will find themselves in the elimination the following day.

Elimination Challenge: Family Traditions (Episode 11)

Air date: 2026-05-06

Runtime: 46 min

Overview: Six contestants face elimination as they must create a dish that represent their family food traditions to fight for their place in the competition.

Mystery Box Challenge: Catherine Zhang (Episode 12)

Air date: 2026-05-10

Runtime: 59 min

Overview: The Top 20 compete for Immunity from tomorrow's Elimination in a fruity Mystery Box challenge set by Catherine Zhang, marking the start of Viral Wonders Week

Elimination Challenge: Viral Ingredients (Episode 13)

Air date: 2026-05-11

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: Viral sensation Victoria Minell (aka @recipesbyvictoria) sets a challenge to use one of her five viral ingredients in a 75-minute cook to save their place in the competition

Team Service Challenge: Viral-worthy Dish (Episode 14)

Air date: 2026-05-12

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: Six teams will compete in their first service challenge, tasked with creating one perfect viral-worthy dish to serve to hundreds of diners, and impress a mystery social media-star critic

Immunity Pin Challenge: Khanh Ong (Episode 15)

Air date: 2026-05-13

Runtime: 52 min

Overview: MasterChef alum and social media star Khanh Ong sets an epic challenge to create a bold, out-there sandwich with a banging cross section, to win the first immunity pin of the season

Mystery Box Challenge: Rick Stein (Episode 16)

Air date: 2026-05-17

Runtime: 59 min

Overview: It's the start of Around the World Week, and global food icon Rick Stein joins the MasterChef Kitchen to set an extra spicy Mystery Box challenge

Elimination Challenge: Cuisines from Around the World (Episode 17) 9.5

Air date: 2026-05-18

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: In an Around the World elimination challenge, MasterChef contestants must create a dish inspired by a chosen cuisine, featuring a surprise hero ingredient revealed only after they commit

Invention Test: Fusion (Episode 18) 10.0

Air date: 2026-05-19

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: It's a fusion invention test today with the contestants having to make dish featuring cuisines from two countries

Pressure Test: Rosheen Kaul (Episode 19) 10.0

Air date: 2026-05-20

Runtime: 51 min

Overview: Chef Rosheen Kaul sets the first full Pressure Test for the season, with an intense, three-hour challenge

Mystery Box Challenge: Dim Sim Lim (Episode 20)

Air date: 2026-05-24

Runtime: 62 min

Overview: Kicking off nostalgia-themed week in the MasterChef kitchen, social media sensation chef Dim Sim Lim sets a 60-minute mystery box challenge requiring a steamed element. English

Elimination Challenge: Heritage (Episode 21)

Air date: 2026-05-25

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: The MasterChef contestants must cook something connected to their heritage to avoid being eliminated.

Team Challenge: Team Relay (Episode 22)

Air date: 2026-05-26

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: In MasterChef's most notorious team challenge, four teams will navigate the chaos of the Team Relay to compete for a chance to cook for Immunity.

Immunity Pin Challenge: French Techniques (Episode 23)

Air date: 2026-05-27

Runtime: 50 min

Overview: Guided by MasterChef Alumna Justine Schofield, four contestants put their French techniques to the test for a chance to win a coveted immunity pin.

Mystery Box Challenge: Matt Sinclair & Daniel Dobra (Episode 24)

Air date: 2026-05-31

Runtime: 62 min

Classic Pairs Elimination Challenge (Episode 25)

Air date: 2026-06-01

Runtime: 50 min

Invention Test: Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (Episode 26)

Air date: 2026-06-02

Runtime: 47 min

Elimination Challenge: Time or Ingredients? (Episode 27)

Air date: 2026-06-03

Runtime: 50 min

Mystery Box Challenge: Curtis Stone (Episode 28)

Air date: 2026-06-07

Runtime: 62 min

Overview: Curtis Stone kicks off Aussie Classics week, with a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the cooks to have their dish stocked in Coles, as they are challenged to whip up nostalgic Pie and Ice-cream flavours.

Elimination Challenge: Pork (Episode 29)

Air date: 2026-06-08

Runtime: 48 min

Overview: With Curtis Stone back in the kitchen, the MasterChef contestants are challenged with cooking a dish that features pork to save their place in the competition.

Comeback Challenge (Episode 30)

Air date: 2026-06-09

Runtime: 50 min

Overview: It's Aussie Classics Week, and there's nothing Aussies love more than a great comeback story. Today, the previously eliminated contestants return for a chance to earn their place back in the competition.

Elimination Challenge: Aussie Native Ingredients (Episode 31)

Air date: 2026-06-10

Runtime: 58 min

Overview: Aussie Classics week draws to a close with an exciting day in the MasterChef Kitchen as guest judge and Aussie icon Robert Irwin sets an Aussie Native Ingredients Elimination Challenge.

Mystery Box Challenge: Adriano Zumbo (Episode 32)

Air date: 2026-06-14

Runtime: 61 min

Overview: It's the start of Sweet Week, and confectionery king Adriano Zumbo challenges the cooks to hero a mystery ingredient in a dessert. The top three dishes will win immunity from tomorrow's elimination.

Elimination Challenge: Ice Cream Taste Test (Episode 33) 10.0

Air date: 2026-06-15

Runtime: 48 min

Overview: As Sweet Week continues, the contestants take part in an Ice Cream Taste Test. The first four who guess incorrectly will land in the Round Two cook, after which someone will be sent home.

Invention Test: Air Fryer (Episode 34)

Air date: 2026-06-16

Runtime: 48 min

Overview: It's Sweet Week, and today's challenge is an Air Fryer Invention Test, with the top four dishes going into tomorrow's Immunity Challenge. Dish of the day will claim a $5,000 Harvey Norman voucher!

Immunity Pin Challenge: Beat the Chef (Episode 35)

Air date: 2026-06-17

Runtime: 51 min

Overview: On Sweet Week's final day, four contestants face dessert powerhouse Jess Lemon in a 'Beat the Chef' Immunity Pin challenge, attempting to outcook one of the MasterChef kitchen's pastry prodigies.

Skills Challenge: Fish Butchery (Episode 36)

Air date: 2026-06-21

Runtime: 61 min

Overview: To kick off Masters Week, industry icon Josh Niland gives a fish butchery masterclass, and the contestants must use one of his signature butchery techniques to prepare flathead in 75 minutes.

Elimination Challenge: Flat Iron Steak (Episode 37)

Air date: 2026-06-22

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: Masters Week continues with Michelin-starred chef Curtis Stone returning to the MasterChef kitchen for a high-stakes elimination where contestants must hero a flat iron steak.

Immunity Challenge: Tom Sarafian (Episode 38) 10.0

Air date: 2026-06-23

Runtime: 50 min

Overview: Masters Week continues as hatted Melbourne chef Tom Sarafian joins to showcase his famous hummus dish, inspiring contestants to make an immunity-worthy dish to get one step closer to the Top 10.

Pressure Test: Kirsten Tibballs (Episode 39)

Air date: 2026-06-24

Runtime: 59 min

Overview: In the final Masters Week challenge, four contestants compete in a pressure test set by Kirsten Tibballs to avoid elimination and secure their place in the Top 10.

Twins Challenge (Episode 40)

Air date: 2026-06-28

Runtime: 60 min

Overview: It's Knockout Week, and our 10 cooks face the iconic twins challenge inspired by MasterChef couple Sarah Todd and Declan Cleary and their identical twin girls, Charlotte and Claudia.

Mystery Box Challenge: The Judge's Fridge (Episode 41)

Air date: 2026-06-29

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: As Knockout Week continues, the MasterChef judges have each filled a fridge with ingredients. Eight contestants must choose a fridge, without looking inside, and use its contents to make a dish.

Team Challenge: Fine Dining (Episode 42)

Air date: 2026-06-30

Runtime: 50 min

Overview: It's Knockout Week, and two teams of three, led by Andy and Jean-Christophe, must deliver a two-course fine dining menu for 16 Coles Farmers. The losing team will head into tomorrow's elimination.

Elimination Challenge: Ingredient Choice (Episode 43)

Air date: 2026-07-01

Runtime: 48 min

Overview: It's Knockout week and the first elimination for the Top 10. The seven contestants cooking must feature an ingredient chosen by one of their fellow cooks to keep their place in the competition.

Mystery Box Challenge: Sanjeev Kapoor (Episode 44)

Air date: 2026-07-05

Runtime: 63 min

Overview: Our Top 9 contestants welcome one of the most famous chefs in India, with over 150 cookbooks and 20 million social media followers, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who is here to set a Mystery Box.

Elimination Challenge: International Ingredients (Episode 45)

Air date: 2026-07-06

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: Contestants must produce a dish featuring one of five internationally sourced ingredients that they have never used before, in an elimination cook-off. For one cook, it will be their final dish.

Immunity Challenge: Ice Cream Flavours (Episode 46)

Air date: 2026-07-07

Runtime: 48 min

Overview: The top eight of MasterChef Australia get to select a Connoisseur ice cream to start the day. Cooking for immunity, they must cook a dessert inspired by their ice cream flavour.

Pressure Test: Sam Aisbett (Episode 47)

Air date: 2026-07-08

Runtime: 55 min

Overview: In a high-stakes pressure test featuring Michelin-starred Chef Sam Aisbett's 'Crab Salad', four contestants must navigate complex technical components and personal errors to avoid elimination.

Mystery Box Challenge: Marion Grasby (Episode 48)

Air date: 2026-07-12

Runtime: 59 min

Overview: To mark the start of Heat Week, food and media mogul Marion Grasby returns to MasterChef for the first time in 16 years with a spicy mystery box challenge.

Elimination Challenge: Hot New Chilli Dish (Episode 49)

Air date: 2026-07-13

Runtime: 48 min

Overview: Heat Week continues with a looming elimination as six of the seven remaining cooks are challenged to create a hot new chilli dish in just 60 minutes.

Immunity Challenge: Hibachi (Episode 50)

Air date: 2026-07-14

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: Five cooks must prove their skill and creativity using only a hibachi, with the winner earning immunity and a spot in the Top 6.

Elimination Challenge: Head-to-Head Duels (Episode 51)

Air date: 2026-07-15

Runtime: 52 min

Overview: It's the final day of HEAT WEEK, and four cooks face off in head-to-head duals in an elimination challenge. After two rounds of battle, the bottom dish in the final duel will send its maker home.

Mystery Box Challenge: One Ingredient (Episode 52)

Air date: 2026-07-19

Runtime: 59 min

Overview: Contestants must choose a mystery box set by Sofia containing just one ingredient. Using just that and under-bench staples, the best dish wins immunity and the first spot in the Top 5.

Elimination Challenge: French Sauces (Episode 53)

Air date: 2026-07-20

Runtime: 49 min

Overview: With a coveted place in the Top 5 of MasterChef 2026 at stake, contestants must personalise a classic French sauce, as demonstrated by Jean-Christophe. For one cook, it will be the end of the line.

Immunity Challenge: Keeping Up With Andy (Episode 54)

Air date: 2026-07-21

Runtime: 47 min

Overview: It's an immunity challenge today for the Top 5 to 'Keep up with Andy' as he cooks his delicious BBQ Lamb, Burnt Eggplant Cream, and Braised Borlotti Beans dish. The top cook will go directly into the Top 4.

Pressure Test: Malaysian Snacks (Episode 55)

Air date: 2026-07-22

Runtime: 56 min

Overview: Four of the Top 5 contestants battle it out to stay in the competition, taking on an epic pressure test set by judge Poh Ling Yeow to recreate three of her beautiful and delicious Malaysian snacks.

Episode 56 (Episode 56)

Air date: 2026-07-26

Overview: The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, joins the MasterChef Australia kitchen today, offering some of her favourite seasonal produce to feature in a heartfelt dish, with immunity on the line.

Episode 57 (Episode 57)

Air date: 2026-07-27

Overview: It's elimination day, and there are two spots up for grabs in the semi-final. Emotions run high when letters and ingredients from home inspire our cooks to make a dish to keep them in the competition.