Full Breakdown
Sam Wood’s legal and financial fallout amid domestic-violence arrest
By Drooid · · How we work
Arrest and bail hearing
Former “Bachelor” contestant and fitness entrepreneur Sam Wood was taken into custody in Noosa, Queensland, after police responded to an alleged domestic-violence incident on a Saturday. He remained in a Maroochydore lock-up cell for four nights. On the Thursday following his arrest, Wood’s lawyer Matthew Cuskelly, accompanied by barrister David Cole and Wood’s father Andrew, appeared before Magistrate Janelle Boegheim. The magistrate postponed the hearing from the scheduled 9 a.m. slot to 2 p.m., and Wood’s bail application was set for that afternoon. A family statement posted on social media described the situation as “a difficult time” and said the family was “co-operating with the authorities.”
Domestic-violence charges
Wood faces two domestic-violence offences in Queensland: assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation, both alleged to have occurred in a domestic setting. His legal team has indicated he will contest the charges. The National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service was listed as a support resource for affected parties.
Tax liabilities and company deregistration
A County Court writ shows Wood owed the Australian Tax Office $4,037,461 for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2022, having paid only $14,747.12 that year. The ATO also claimed unpaid liabilities of $102,023.20 for the year to 30 June 2023 and a further $3,189,107 for the year to 30 June 2024. Separate legal proceedings by the ATO, initiated in May 2025, alleged $7.3 million in unpaid taxes and fees.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) deregistered Wood’s company The Woodshed Group Pty Ltd on 30 August after the entity failed to meet annual review fee obligations for more than a year. An ASIC spokesperson declined to comment further.
Corporate partners’ reactions
Several former commercial partners have publicly ended their relationships with Wood. A spokesperson for Bupa confirmed the health insurer’s online fitness classes with Wood’s business ceased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Woolworths said it no longer holds any commercial arrangements with Wood or his companies and has not stocked related products since 2024. Blackmores noted its contract with the 28 Group concluded in 2022. DBG Health, the parent company that purchased Wood’s home-fitness business in 2022 for a reported $71 million, announced it had terminated all arrangements with Wood; its chief operating officer Mark Watkin said the company was “shocked and saddened” by the matters involving Wood.
Timeline
- 30 June 2022 – County Court writ records $4,037,461 tax debt.
- 30 June 2023 – ATO alleges $102,023.20 unpaid liabilities.
- 30 June 2024 – ATO alleges an additional $3,189,107 liability.
- June 2025 – ATO initiates legal action alleging $7.3 million owed.
- August 30 – ASIC deregisters The Woodshed Group Pty Ltd.
- Saturday (date unspecified) – Wood arrested in Noosa on domestic-violence allegations.
- Following Thursday – Bail hearing postponed to 2 p.m.; bail application scheduled for that afternoon.