EXCLUSIVE: The 2024 winners spill on how they plan on spending their prize money.

The Block’s Maddy and Charlotte have finally addressed whether they’ll share their prize money with Jesse and Paige. Photos: Channel Nine

The Block’s Maddy and Charlotte arguably had the most unique experience on the reality show across the past 20 seasons. Not only were they the first team to enter the competition midway through when Jesse and Paige decided to quit, but they also became the show’s youngest winners during Sunday night’s nail-biting finale.

The sisters walked away with a whopping $1.65 million profit, including the additional $100,000 grand prize, after Adrian Portelli purchased their house for $3.5 million. This made the girls the third-highest earners in The Block’s history after 2023 winners Steph and Gian won $1.75 million and 2022 winners Omar and Oz won $1,686,666.66.

While many fans have since taken to social media to question whether they plan on splitting their winnings with Jesse and Paige – who completed four rooms before leaving the show – Maddy and Charlotte reveal to Yahoo Lifestyle that the WA-based couple have been “looked after”.

“We have been told that contractually, it’s ours as we sold it, but you know, they have been looked after and they’ll be just fine,” Maddy explains.

The professional house flippers went on to share that they have since spoken with Jesse and Paige, adding: “They were very gracious and sent us a message and congratulated us and were very excited which was really lovely.”

The sisters won a whopping $1.65 million during Sunday night’s episode. Photo: Channel Nine
An insider previously told Yahoo Lifestyle that Maddy and Charlotte were actually open to sharing their profits with Jessie and Paige before having the idea squashed.

“The sisters were open to splitting the money with the Western Australian couple but producers have advised them that it is in their contract that they can’t split money with other contestants,” the insider shared. “The reason being that it promotes collusion and that could affect future seasons.”

The source added that when Jesse and Paige left the show, they were very much made aware of forfeiting the profits of House 1 in Phillip Island.”

Maddy and Charlotte were initially open to sharing their prize money with Jesse and Paige. Photo: Channel Nine

Maddy and Charlotte’s plans with $1.65 million

Speaking about how they plan on spending their newfound cash, Maddy and Charlotte tell Yahoo Lifestyle they have a few exciting things in mind.

“We will most likely buy a house and go on a holiday and then it’ll probably all be gone,” Maddy remarks. “So that’s the plan, to probably buy another house that needs some renovation and then get our work boots back on and have our own little mini Block.”

She adds that they had no expectation of how much money they would earn heading into the auction and “would have been grateful with anything”.

“I think this is such a cool opportunity and it’s once in a lifetime, but to be able to be so young and to win The Block was obviously a dream since we were little,” she says.

“We’re thrilled with how it worked out, and we’re just honestly so glad that everyone did so well. I think it makes winning even sweeter when everyone else also got life-changing amounts of money and can now do amazing things for their family and lives.”

Maddy and Charlotte won’t have to pay tax on their prize money. Photo: Channel Nine

Hidden catch with The Block prize money

Although the prize money won at The Block auctions is tax-free, a previous contestant has told Yahoo Lifestyle there is a slight catch in terms of when you receive it.

“You don’t get it for 12 months,” they revealed. “It’s spread over that period so you don’t talk bad on the show and if so, you don’t get your money.”

2023 runner-ups Eliza and Liberty, who made $1.05 million at last year’s auction, also told Yahoo Lifestyle in February that contestants receive their prize money “in instalments” but they were yet to be sent any of it.