Exclusive: Claudia and Austen discuss moving in together and plans to spend $50,000 prize money after winning Love Island Australia 2022
Claudia and Austen were crowned the winners of Love Island Australia 2022 during Tuesday night's epic grand finale.
After eight weeks in the Villa, the duo beat runners-up Phoebe and Mitchell and Callum and Madeline after Australia voted them as their favourite couple.
In an exclusive interview with 9Entertainment, Claudia and Austen have confirmed that not only are they still dating, but they're moving in together in a matter of weeks.
Stream every episode ever of Love Island Australia and Love Island UK for free on 9Now.
"I'm going to move to Adelaide for a little bit at the start of next year. In January I'll be making the move, so very soon!" Austen, who is currently based in Sydney, confirmed.
Claudia and Austen were crowned as the winners of Love Island Australia during Tuesday's finale. Nine
Claudia sweetly added that the pair aren't getting an apartment together just yet, and are instead staying with her family.
"It's the proper Italian way!" she laughed. "Then eventually I think we'll get a place together, but in Sydney."
When asked if they'd met each other's families in the flesh, Claudia smiled: "Yes!
"It went really well. My family just love him so much – way more than [they love] me, it's really sad."
Austen said: "I knew my family were going to love [Claudia]. My mum doesn't really accept many girls, but she was basically in love with Claudia.
READ MORE: Sophie Monk crowns the winners of Love Island Australia 2022
"She actually messaged me after – and she's never done this before – and said, 'I'm so proud of you for choosing her. She's a beautiful girl.' It was just so nice."
Claudia and Austen have confirmed they're moving in together. Nine
When asked how they plan to spend their $50,000 prize money, Claudia said: "I don't even know what to do with it. I don't know what to do with $1,000, let alone $25,000! We'll probably spend it on good Christmas presents.
"I'm going to get my family something, and my best friend and [me and Austen] want to do some travelling together. Maybe to Japan? I don't know. But our parents will probably say put it towards a house."
The pair also spoke about where they see their relationship going in future.
"In five years' time, I'd just hope we were just happy and living together in our own house. Wishful thinking, but we really want like a loft, like a New York City apartment? And he wants a dog. He wants a Cavalier," Claudia smiled.
"I want a little inside dog, but then I also want a German Shepherd. We're not really going to have any set plans, we'll just go with the flow – but with two dogs, and a bird! She loves birds," Austen said.
At the beginning of Season 4, Claudia had been with Jordan while Austen was Coupled Up with Layla.
READ MORE: Al and Jessica call it quits after their time in the Villa
But the duo soon realised they were into each other after they shared a kiss during a challenge.
Their journey to happiness wasn't smooth, and they did face a couple of speedbumps in their romance - including when Claudia's ex Jason walked in the Villa.
When asked what it was like to watch the more difficult moments back, Austen said: "It was hard at times, but I think it was important to remember that everything that happened at that time has led us to this moment.
"To put that in your mind, to not let the past affect what's happened now is the most important thing."
READ MORE: Madeline hits Callum with a truth bomb during her declaration of love
Finally, when asked how it felt to have been voted Australia's favourite couple, Austen said: "I don't think it's processed yet.
"We were saying last night, 'When are we going to wake up?' Just the love that we've got... it's crazy, and we're very grateful."
"It's just crazy to think people voted for us!" Claudia added. "That's insane. We're very, very grateful. I feel like we're dreaming."
Stream every episode ever of Love Island UK and Love Island Australia for free on 9Now.
