Meet the Cast
Jess Eva
Jess Eva is a television host, media personality, author, producer and all-round renovator of chaos - with a career built on saying yes, having a crack and figuring the rest out along the way.
A Sunny Coast original, Jess first burst onto Australian television in 2018 when she and then partner Norm Hogan joined Nine’s The Block. Their infectious personalities, hilarious antics and very real approach to renovation quickly made them fan favourites, launching Jess into a whole new chapter of her career.
As The Block wrapped, Jess swapped building sites for breakfast radio, joining the Triple M network to host Sydney breakfast alongside Lawrence ‘Moonman’ Mooney. She went on to become a familiar face across Australian television, with credits including The Latest (Seven), Renovate or Rebuild (Nine), and Studio 10 (Ten), where she co-hosted alongside Tristan MacManus.
In 2021, Jess added author to her growing list of titles, releasing Why Wouldn’t Ya? with Pan Macmillan. Part memoir, part life advice and packed with the mad stories that have become synonymous with Jess, the book encouraged readers to get out of their own heads, stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and start treating life like the adventure it is.
Jess returned to the reality TV arena in I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (Ten), where her trademark humour was matched by an unexpected vulnerability and plenty of wisdom. She finished in the top three alongside Grant Denyer and Abbie Chatfield - and left the jungle with a few more mad stories, some questionable memories and, apparently, bugs in her ears.
In 2024, Jess brought together her love of renovation, people and storytelling to launch Budget Battlers on Nine. The series sees Jess and her team transform homes for deserving Australians, proving that big changes don't always need a big budget. Now heading into its third season, Budget Battlers has become a signature part of Jess’ television career - combining her natural warmth and humour with her genuine passion for helping people.
Behind the scenes, Jess is also the founder and CEO of production company Maker Media, built around her belief in Programming with Purpose. Through Maker Media, Jess continues to develop and produce television and media projects that entertain, connect and make a difference.
Her work in television and production was recognised in 2025 when she took home the MediaWeek Next of the Best Award for TV & Film Production - a fitting nod to a career that has continually evolved from talent, to creator, to producer and business owner.
A two-time national lawn bowls champion, former tomato picker and mum to Freddie and Matilda, Jess brings the same philosophy to life that has shaped her career: have a crack, don't take yourself too seriously and remember that a no is just one step closer to a YES.
With an unmistakable laugh, an infectious energy and a knack for making everyone feel like an old mate, Jess Eva is proof that sometimes the best things happen when you simply give it a bloody good crack.
Melissa Tkautz
Melissa Tkautz is one of Australia’s most recognisable and enduring entertainment personalities. From soap star and chart-topping pop princess to actress, performer, reality TV favourite and now renovation and design enthusiast, Melissa has never been one to sit comfortably in just one box.
Her career began young, with more than 160 television and print commercials under her belt by the age of 17, before she landed the role of Nikki Spencer on the iconic Aussie soap E Street. A now-famous dream sequence saw Nikki become a pop star - and Melissa’s own music career was born. Her debut single Read My Lips shot to #1, becoming the highest-selling single of the year and earning Melissa both an ARIA Award and an American Music Award.
Her #1 album Fresh cemented her status as a bona fide pop sensation, delivering era-defining hits including Sexy Is the Word, Skin to Skin, My House and Is It?. Alongside music, Melissa built an impressive acting career spanning more than two decades, with roles across some of Australia’s biggest television dramas including Paradise Beach, Pacific Drive, Medivac, Richmond Hill, Echo Point, Home & Away, All Saints and Swift & Shift Couriers. Her screen credits also extend to film, including Boar and The Possessed, while theatre has seen her become the longest-running cast member of The Vagina Monologues.
Melissa has always embraced the next challenge. She joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Sydney, introducing her to a whole new generation of fans, before returning to live music, theatre and television - including appearances on SAS Australia.
Now, Melissa is bringing that same energy, eye for style and hands-on attitude to the world of renovation and design. As part of the Budget Battlers team, she’s proving that there’s far more to her than glamour, with a genuine passion for transforming spaces and helping homeowners create beautiful, functional homes without blowing the budget.
With an entertainment career spanning decades and no signs of slowing down, Melissa Tkautz remains a true Australian original - talented, hardworking, fiercely versatile and always ready for whatever comes next.
Luke Moore
Luke Moore, known as Reno Dad, is the self-taught DIYer and renovation enthusiast proving that you don’t need a tradie ticket – or a massive budget – to create something great at home.
Based in Perth and a proud dad, Luke has built his renovation skills through years of hands-on experience, trial and error and an obsession with figuring out how things work. Having dabbled in everything from cabinetry and roof carpentry to landscaping, Luke discovered his real passion for renovation while transforming a granny flat of his own. Today, he’s the guy behind @renodad, where he shares practical projects, clever hacks and plenty of inspiration with a growing community of DIY fans.
Luke’s approach is simple: break a project down, give it a go and don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes along the way. His authentic, down-to-earth style has made him a trusted voice for everyday Aussies who want to improve their homes without blowing the budget.
Now, Luke is bringing his DIY know-how, infectious enthusiasm and knack for finding clever solutions to Budget Battlers, joining the cast for Season 3. Working alongside Jess Eva, Melissa Tkautz and the renovation crew, Luke will roll up his sleeves and get stuck into the five-day transformations – bringing a fresh perspective, plenty of practical know-how and, no doubt, a few of his own budget-saving tricks to the team.
Brooke Triplett
Brooke Triplett is a powerhouse entrepreneur, sales expert and founder of She Sells, where she empowers women to build confidence, master the art of sales and create more freedom in their working lives.
But in Series 3 of Budget Battlers, Brooke is swapping sales strategy for power tools and stepping well outside her comfort zone as our very own Gift Queen!
Wife to Scott and mum to Oaky and new bub Wesley, Brooke knows just how much a beautiful, functional home can mean to a family. Now she's bringing that understanding - along with her infectious energy and generous spirit - to our Budget Battlers homeowners.
Brooke joins the team on site, getting stuck into the renovation action and helping create those special moments that make Budget Battlers about so much more than just a makeover. And when the dust settles, Brooke makes sure our homeowners are spoiled with some seriously generous and thoughtful gifts.
Known for her warmth, energy and ability to make things happen, Brooke brings a whole new level of heart to the Budget Battlers team - proving you can build a business, wrangle a family and survive a five-day reno.
The Tradies
Leigh Wright, Tim Moncur, Mark Lawton, Glen Hare
Back for Series 3, these four legends bring their renovation smarts, big personalities, and a whole lot of laughs. Foreman Leigh does his best to keep the crew in line, while Moncur, Lawts, and Glen are always ready for whatever curveball Jess throws their way. Together, they’re the backbone of the build – keeping the tools moving, the site humming, and the renos rolling.