The contestants’ surprising salaries have leaked online.

Farmer Wants A Wife contestants / Farmer Corey.

The Farmer Wants A Wife salaries have been leaked online. Photos: Channel 7

It was once known as the most wholesome reality show on Australian TV, but Farmer Wants A Wife certainly isn’t the highest paying. A contestant on last year’s season has revealed the “ridiculous” amount of money she earned during filming, and how long it took to hit her bank account.

Ellen Dunger, who appeared on Farmer Todd Melbourne’s farm, took to Instagram on Tuesday to speculate that this year’s ‘mass exodus’ could be because of the paltry salary. There have already been four contestants who have quit the show this season, with the most recent being Farmer Thomas’ frontrunner Claire.

“Eureka Productions only pay participants $80 per day of filming, and 40 per cent of that is withheld until after the show airs. So essentially, you’re waiting for six months for 40 per cent of $80 a day,” she said.

“And even while you’re filming and you’re trying to get the little money that they give you out of them, it’s actually a really difficult task. I think we had to send heaps of emails, like the girls on my farm, to actually get paid. It was ridiculous.”

Ellen argued that, based on her experience, it would make sense for contestants to leave the show early if they’re not enjoying the experience because they could earn more money in their normal life.

Farmer Wants A Wife's Todd Melbourne and Ellen Dunger.

Ellen Dunger says she was paid $80 per day of filming. Photo: Channel 7

Sophie Trethowan, who found love on the show last season with Dustin Manwaring, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that she earned a total of “around $3200” across the entire eight-week filming experience.

“So it’s $80 a day for when you’re filming and travel days, and I got paid $80 for the reunion as well,” she details. “It’s not a lot of money, but at the end of the day, you don’t go on there for that. I never looked at it like that. I was like, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Obviously, the farmers get paid more. I know that for a fact. But I’m not one to complain because at the end of the day, I knew that I wasn’t doing it for money.”

Sophie adds that while food is supplied at events and the House AP pays for groceries on the farm, contestants end up spending “a lot of money” while they’re away.

“You’re on the road a lot and you’re paying for your own food and stuff,” she shares. “It probably would have been nice to have some more food compensated and stuff like that, because it is out of pocket, and it is hard.

“Some girls quit their jobs, you can’t work for months, and I was still paying off a house loan. I was lucky I had savings, but you have to have that in mind if you’re applying. They’re up front with you that you’re only getting paid $80 a day, so if that’s a problem, don’t do it.”

Farmer Wants A Wife’s Sophie Trethowan and Dustin Manwaring

Sophie Trethowan says she earned a total of ‘around $3200’ across the entire eight-week filming experience.. Photo: Channel 7

Participants on Married At First Sight earn significantly more money than contestants on Farmer Wants A Wife, although it’s still not as much as you might think.

A 2025 participant told Yahoo Lifestyle earlier this year that the remuneration was “appalling” and nothing could have prepared them for the experience.

“You get $150 a day plus a $128 food allowance for the week. All up, you get $1,178,” they shared. “The way we are paid as ‘contributors’ and not as a proper job is how they can pay you so little.”