<P> The eighth cycle of Australia's Next Top Model began airing 9 July 2013 on Fox8 . Former host Sarah Murdoch left the show and was replaced by Jennifer Hawkins . Alex Perry and Charlotte Dawson returned as judges for this season with Didier Cohen joining the show as a new judge . This is the last series of Australia's Next Top Model to feature Dawson, before she died of an apparent suicide five months after it ended . </P> <P> The prizes for this cycle included a one - year modelling contract with IMG Sydney and worldwide representation by IMG London, New York, Milan and Paris, as well as a A $20,000 cash prize thanks to TRESemmé, a brand new Nissan Dualis, an overseas trip to Paris to meet with IMG Paris, and an eight page editorial spread and the cover of Harper's Bazaar Australia . </P> <P> The winner of the competition was 16 - year - old Melissa Juratowitch from Melbourne, Victoria . </P> <P> Fifty semi-finalists were selected to take part in this years' competition . The first episode of the show was shown in a special screening for fans of the series . Fifteen official contestants were chosen to compete for the title . </P>

Who won australia's next top model cycle 8