Inside australia’s biggest family — how Jeni and Ray Bonell raise 16 kids on love, laughter, and a tight budget
From $600 grocery runs to a chore chart that starts at age 8 — the Bonell family proves that with teamwork and heart, even the biggest households can thrive.
When Jeni Bonell met her husband Ray, she swore she’d never have children. Now she’s the mother of 16.
Living in Toowoomba, Queensland, the Bonells are known across Australia as the country’s biggest family. With nine boys and seven girls ranging from 10 to 35 years old, life in their home is anything but ordinary. But amidst the chaos, there’s a rhythm — a warm, imperfect harmony powered by love, laughter, and a deep commitment to family.
Every week, Jeni Bonell tackles a Herculean task: shopping for and feeding a household of up to 18. Their weekly grocery bill hits $600 — and that’s after cutting corners and planning meticulously.
“Fifty liters of milk, 14 boxes of cereal, 45 tubs of yogurt… we go through food like you wouldn’t believe,” Jeni laughs. “It’s expensive, but we make it work.”
View this post on Instagram
Their YouTube channel showcases Jeni’s savvy budgeting strategies and her $2-to-$10 meals — practical lifelines for families feeling the pinch of rising food prices.
A home powered by love and logistics
Organization is critical. With eight kids still at home, the Bonells use a chore chart to keep their household running smoothly. Children as young as eight are put “on the roster,” helping with sweeping, mopping, and meal prep. The laundry alone? Three full loads a day.
“People think little kids are a handful, but older kids are even busier,” says Jeni. “We’re juggling schools, part-time jobs, sports, uni. It’s a full-time gig — but a good one.”
And yes, getting a family photo is as tricky as you’d imagine. “There’s always someone blinking, or making a face — but that’s us, and we love it.”
Stretching every dollar, and every moment
Despite the financial strain — and criticism from some — Jeni and Ray, an electrician, are proud of their self-sufficiency. “We work hard. We don’t live off the taxpayer,” Jeni says.
Still, the Bonells aren’t without their moments of grace. “Do we make time for each other? Absolutely,” Ray says. “You have to look after each other in a family this big.”
Now grandparents to two, Jeni and Ray are watching their family grow even further — and with every new addition, their bond only deepens.
View this post on Instagram
What’s the secret to raising 16 kids?
According to Jeni, it’s faith, humor, and a lot of teamwork. The Bonells are deeply religious, but Jeni insists their big family isn’t solely a product of faith.
“God has a funny sense of humor,” she jokes. “But we don’t regret a thing. It just feels right.”
From meal-prepping with their air fryer favorites to their nightly dinners that sometimes include 20 people at the table, the Bonells embody the spirit of shared responsibility and joy.
For the Bonells, chaos is normal — and love is the glue that keeps it all together.
At the end of the day, their story just shows what’s possible when a family comes together with purpose and passion. Jeni and Ray may not have planned on raising 16 kids, but they’ve built something extraordinary: a home filled with noise, mess, meals, memories — and above all, love.
Because whether your family is big or small, the Bonells remind us that it’s always worth the work.
