Australian Survivor’s immunity idol rule change explained

One blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in last night’s Survivor ignited fierce debate among fans. Here’s the truth.

The contestants on this season of Australian Survivor sure are good at finding hidden immunity idols.

Now, if someone could just show them how to play them …

Just one episode after contestant Simon was voted out with two immunity idols in his pocket – an Australian first, as host Jonathan LaPaglia cheerfully told him – former tribemate Kez left the game in Sunday night’s episode having not played the immunity idol she found only hours earlier.

And one blink-and-you’ll-miss-it move during her final seconds in the game ignited fierce debate among Survivor fans. Saying her goodbyes to her tribemates, Kez slipped the immunity idol to close ally Flick, rather than taking it with her.

Social media lit up with aggrieved Survivor fans: Is this allowed? Is the idol still in play? If so, how come it hasn’t been done before - and why didn’t Simon pass on his two idols the episode before?

#SurvivorAU That Idol should be dead. If you get voted out with anything, it should ALWAYS STAY DEAD. That's the gamble. That's the point.

— Austin Smith (@AustinFSmith8) August 15, 2021

A good episode ruined by passing on of an idol. I hope producers don’t allow that, although I feel they will 🙄🙄🙄 #SurvivorAU

— Ttdt (@_teebag) August 15, 2021

This is against the rules of the hidden immunity idol. It cannot be bequeathed like other advantages. Dead set #SurvivorAU don’t break the game like this https://t.co/YXbgV8Uvhw

— Catherine Kneen (@catherine_kneen) August 15, 2021

I thought the rule was If you are voted out while in physical possession of the idol, that idol is out of the game and no longer has any power.

How is what Kez did allowed ?

#SurvivorAU

— Staci (@staci_kp) August 15, 2021

If they allow that idol to be played then it’s gonna set a dangerous precedent going forward #SurvivorAU

— Jakob Funk (@jakobjfunk) August 15, 2021

This must be addressed. @Survivor_AU We cannot sleep thinking that idol is allowed to stay in play.#SurvivorAu

— Previously On Australian Survivor (@PreviouslyonAS) August 15, 2021

News.com.au can confirm that yes, the idol is still in play in the game. Leave it to two-time Australian Survivor player Nick Iadanza to offer some insight into this surprising development, explaining that the rule was actually changed before Survivor’s 2019 All-Stars season.

Ok I can clarify if needed.

Before All Stars, the rules were changed so that idols and advantages could be passed to others up until the torch snuffing.#SurvivorAU

— Nick Iadanza (@nickiadanza) August 15, 2021

In follow-up tweets, Iadanza said all contestants know about the rule, “so it is technically fair.” He also said in his view it hadn’t made much difference to the game - although it did make him watch his fellow contestants more closely after votes were read.

Kez’s elimination on Sunday night was a blindside, but she should’ve known she’d have a target on her back: She found the idol in full view of her tribemates, making no secret of her discovery.

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Kez finds an immunity idol …

… then Jonathan snuffs her torch.

Still, at least Kez made it to merge, meaning she’s the first contestant to sit on the jury and help decide this season’s winner. But even that is somewhat of a mixed blessing – in previous seasons, those booted after merge would head to “jury villa,” a resort in tropical Fiji or Samoa where they could sip cocktails poolside. For this Aussie-based season, Kez and the others will bide their time at a property in remote Cloncurry, Queensland.

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Kez passes over her idol to Flick after she's voted out.

So what else is afoot, now that we’re past merge and every Survivor contestant is playing for themselves? This season’s most eccentric player George revealed his secret plan to act as a “double agent,” staying loyal to his key alliance members – while also secretly plotting against them with Hayley. Can you tell this guy works in politics?

And speaking of Hayley, she made a new enemy in Dani after confessing to having thrown a vote her way at the last tribal council. In Dani’s words: “Hayley’s way too smart, and way too cunning. Now I know where she stands, I’m out for revenge.”

Australian Survivor continues 7:30pm Monday on Ten.