Love Island Australia's Claudia and Austen announce exciting future plans and reveal how they spent their $50,000 prize money
EXCLUSIVE: Two years after winning Love Island Australia 2022, Claudia and Austen have never looked back.
They're in love, "inseparable" and have come across career opportunities they never imagined.
With the casting now open for the newest season, Claudia and Austen had one thing to say: "Go for it."
Stream every episode ever of Love Island Australia and Love Island UK for free on 9Now.
Speaking exclusively to 9Entertainment, the couple opened up about their Love Island experience, from applying, to winning and the big plans their future holds.
Austen and Claudia admit they're 'inseparable'. Instagram
"Go in there because you love the show and you want to find someone," said Claudia to those thinking of applying, and Austen agreed about being there for the right reasons.
READ MORE: Apply now to be part of Love Island Australia 2024
After eight weeks in the Villa, Australia voted the duo as their favourite couple and were crowned winners of Love Island 2022.
An experience that's changed their lives.
Claudia and Austen were crowned as the winners of Love Island Australia 2022. Nine
Austen joked that one of the biggest things to get used to was being recognised.
"It's so weird, at first you go from absolutely no one knowing you to people doing a double take and being like, 'Are you Austen?'," he laughed, saying the pair love meeting fans of the show.
READ MORE: Where the Islanders from Love Island Australia Season 5 are now
But their journey to Love Island wasn't an instant one, Claudia admitted she had "so much" hesitation when she first thought to apply.
Austen and Claudia walk the red carpet. Instagram
"At the time I had just broken up with [ex-boyfriend] Jason... but my sister was the one who said for me to do it," said Claudia. "I was like, 'You know what, I'll just try it and see what happens!'"
Austen said he was hesitant at first too. His mum being a huge fan of the show, teased he'd be "stupid if he didn't go on".
"I was like, let's see what happens," Austen smiled.
If Claudia could offer one piece of advice, she said: "Be your absolute self, that's the main thing".
"Also tell your craziest, wildest stories, do not hold back... they want to know your real life," she added.
Finding love and a career they never imagined, Claudia and Austen have no regrets on their decision to enter the Villa.
The $50,000 prize money was a nice treat too.
"The majority of it was spent of flights and accommodation," said Claudia as they dived into a interstate relationship post show. They might have squeezed in a little shopping spree too.
With Austen in Sydney, and Claudia in Adelaide, they admitted their long distance relationship "wasn't cheap".
Eventually Austen moved to Adelaide for a year, and nine months ago they both made the move to Sydney.
As for their future?
READ MORE: The small city with a culinary scene that puts Melbourne to shame
"We definitely want to start up something together," said Claudia.
Claudia also has plans with her co-star and bestie Phoebe Spiller, that's still in the works.
"We're doing a podcast!" she announced. "And our boyfriends are going to make an appearance on the show a lot."
While news to Austen, he was happy to get onboard.
Love Island casting is officially open, so apply now!
Stream every episode ever of Love Island UK and Love Island Australia for free on 9Now.