Auditions were held during October and November 2008 across Australia, and production of the prerecorded episodes began in January 2009 and concluded in March 2009.

Model and television personality Sarah Murdoch took over as the host for this season, replacing Jodhi Meares, and joining incumbent judges Alex Perry and Charlotte Dawson.

After a fake farm photo shoot that tested their professionalism, the models were challenged to pose with props made of ice while wearing Cerrone Jewellery.

The models later travelled to South Australia, where they visited the remote town of Parachilna for a lingerie photo shoot in the Outback with photographer Russell James.

The final seven were taken to the offices of Harper's Bazaar to learn more about fashion trends and styling, and participated in a casting challenge for judge Alex Perry and one of his consultants to attend his upcoming show on board the Queen Mary 2.

The contestants were briefed on dealing with the media spotlight, and had a challenge for V Australia in which they had to learn a variety of lines to promote the newest Virgin Airline.

The final four were flown to London and met former Britain's Next Top Model judge Gerry DeVeaux for a shopping tour of the city, before being introduced to supermodel Elle Macpherson.

The contestants later arrived at Garie Beach, Royal National Park for a photo shoot session with Jez Smith in which they had to work both individually and as a team.

Sixteen-year-old Cassi Van Den Dungen was criticised for being a "proud bogan and smoker" with her mother in support, having to take anger-management classes to control her temper whilst participating in the series, and for being engaged and living with a 25-year-old bricklayer.

[4] On 6 June 2009, it was revealed that Clare Venema, Adele Thiel and Tahnee Atkinson had previous professional modelling experience that had not been disclosed during the show.