The art of getting cast on a reality show is part strategy, part personality, and part timing. Play your cards right, and you can land yourself a fun challenge that could lead to even bigger opportunities. Here is your quick and dirty guide to getting on reality TV in Australia – including some top tips from an industry insider who knows what casting agents want – actor, writer, model, and producer Sandy McIntyre (they/them).
McIntyre has worked behind the scenes on some of Australia’s biggest reality television productions, including The Bachelor franchise, Married at First Sight, and Ninja Warrior, as well as lifestyle television and documentaries. Most recently, they’ve ventured into game-show casting, working on the new reboot of Millionaire Hot Seat.
“Whenever I’m casting for reality TV, I look out for two things,” McIntyre says. “A) How the person communicates. I want to see their hand gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Conversing with someone who is expressive is an enjoyable experience!”
“B) Someone who listens,” McIntyre continues. “It’s so easy to get caught up within your own head and, as a producer, it’s also very easy to identify when it’s happening. I want to talk to someone who is engaging in the conversation, who responds and reacts. That’s what truly matters.”
1. Keep an eye on casting calls.
Every major network runs open casting calls throughout the year, and they go by fast. Start by checking the official casting pages on the websites for major networks such as Channel 7, Channel 9, and Channel 10. Many productions also do casting through third-party talent platforms such as StarNow, My Casting Net, McGregor Casting, and Heesom Casting, so keep an eye on those networks.
If there’s a particular show you’d love to be on, make sure you’re following it on social media. They often announce casting first on Instagram or TikTok. McIntyre’s advice is to “simply reach out to the production company and ask to be directed to a casting producer.”
2. Craft a memorable “character hook.”
Reality television thrives on archetypes: the romantic, the underdog, the wildcard, the leader. You don’t need to perform a caricature, but you need a clear point of view. Who are you in the mix? What makes you memorable after the first episode? What makes you different? If you own your personal brand, put yourself out there, and take ownership of your online presence, you may find that the casting agents are the ones coming to you.
3. Don’t wait to be discovered.
Don’t just wait for the right audition opportunity to come up. Plenty of contestants are scouted via social media, podcasts, or online content. We’ve spoken to comedians, burlesque performers, and other entertainers who have reported that they have been approached out of the blue to audition for reality television shows.
“Casting producers often use social media as a tool to find the perfect person,” McIntyre says. “I tend to look at locations, [such as] Bondi Beach, Collingwood, and Hobart, and see which people are tagging themselves within these places, and then reach out. I always want to cast people who reflect our society, therefore I will go all over Australia.”
4. Nail your audition video.
Most casting decisions are made in the first 10 seconds of your self-tape. Skip the small talk and let your personality shine early. Speak directly to camera, as if you’re chatting to a mate.
Avoid stock lines like “I’m fun and bubbly.” Instead, show producers who you are through small, specific stories: Share a quirky habit, a big risk you’ve taken, or a turning point in your life. Authenticity beats polish every time.
Remember: Casting producers watch thousands of videos, so it’s worth making yours feel like a breath of fresh air, not another audition reel.
5. Be easy to work with (and easy to root for).
If a producer reaches out, be responsive, polite, and flexible with your time. Casting teams remember people who make their jobs easier. They also keep notes – a lot of contestants who miss out one year get called up the next because they left a good impression. Your professionalism counts as much as your personality. Be the person they can imagine surviving long shoot days without drama.
6. Find the right reality show for your personality.
Not all reality TV is created equal, and not every show rewards the same traits. Casting producers are looking for specific archetypes that fit their show’s format. Here are some pointers to consider for different formats.
Shows that showcase a talent or skill
(Think: MasterChef Australia, Australian Idol, The Voice)
These formats are about skill, creativity, and growth. You’ll be judged – sometimes harshly – but that’s part of the journey. Producers love contestants who can take feedback on the chin and evolve over the season. If you’re teachable, resilient, and hungry to improve, these shows can be career-defining.
Be ready to talk about why your craft matters to you, and show that you can handle constructive criticism with grace.
Team-based competition shows
(Think: LEGO Masters Australia, The Block, My Kitchen Rules)
In these shows, your success depends as much on your dynamic with your teammate as it does on your skills. The casting team isn’t just looking for individuals; they’re looking for good chemistry.
To succeed, you’ll want to choose your teammate carefully. A good match is someone who balances your energy and stress levels, communicates clearly, and can handle pressure without turning on you mid-challenge. Producers can spot genuine connection a mile off.
Shows about finding love
(Think: Married at First Sight, Love Island Australia, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Farmer Wants a Wife)
These shows are technically about finding “the one,” but the odds of true love are slim. What they really offer is a platform to show off your personality: your humour, values, confidence, and vulnerability.
You may go in with a genuine desire for true romance, but contestants should also treat these shows as a social experiment. You don’t need to play a type, but you need to stand out. The most memorable contestants aren’t the ones who find love; they’re the ones who make an impression by being unapologetically themselves.
Strategy and survival shows
(Think: Australian Survivor, The Traitors Australia, Big Brother)
These formats involve a lot of physical challenges, but they are just as much about putting your mental endurance to the test. They reward self-awareness, social intelligence, and adaptability. If you’re competitive and strategic, and you can manage conflict without combusting, this could be your arena.
Show that you understand the game and can read people. Producers love players who think in layers. They don’t just want to hear “I’ll win,” but how you’ll win.
7. Know what you’re signing up for.
Reality TV can change your life, but it’s not all glitz and Instagram followers. Filming can be intense, sleep-depriving, and emotionally charged. Producers can’t guarantee how you’ll be portrayed in the edit, and the spotlight can linger a long time. Before you commit:
- Read the contract carefully. Producers often control how you’re portrayed on TV.
- Expect filming to be long, emotionally intense, and sometimes invasive.
- Consider the impact on your job, relationships, and privacy.
“My No. 1 piece of advice is to listen to yourself and your gut. Speak up and know that your voice is imperative,” McIntyre says. “Producers are there to guide you, yes, but we’re mainly there to help you find out what it is that you truly want from that situation and for you to achieve it. I like to think of myself as their big sister for the shoot, period. I’m there to look after you and look out for you and ultimately get the best from you.”
“Know that you’re in control always, no matter the schedule or situation, so take your time and know that there is always support available to you, whether that’s a friend, producer, or therapist,” McIntyre continues. “My other piece of advice is to have fun. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so enjoy it and enjoy how far you’ve come.”
Meghan McSweeney, story producer for productions including the Big Brother Australia reboot, has some general advice for anyone considering reality TV.