Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental contaminant, and its increasing concentrations in rice poses significant risks to human health. Globally, rice is a staple food for millions of people, and consequently, effective strategies to reduce Cd accumulation in rice are needed. This study investigates the effect of soil pH (Soil 1: 4.6; Soil 2: 6.6) and iron (Fe) application (at 0, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg) on Fe plaque formation, Cd sequestration in Fe plaques and Cd bioaccumulation in different parts of the rice plant for three different Cd-graded paddy soils (0, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg, respectively) using two Australian rice cultivars under glasshouse conditions. Results show that grain and straw yield declined as Cd toxicity increased, and the toxic effects of Cd were lower in the Quest cultivar than in the Langi cultivar. With applications of Cd at 1.0 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg, Cd concentrations in rice grown in Soil 1 were 1.09 mg/kg and 1.37 mg/kg, respectively, while those in rice grown in Soil 2 were 0.38 mg/kg and 0.52 mg/kg, respectively. Soil pH significantly affected the bioaccumulation of Cd in different parts of the rice plant. At both levels of Cd application, Cd concentration was highest in the root, followed by the stem, leaf, husk and grain. Cd was more concentrated in Fe plaques formed by the application of Fe than in rice plant tissues. The Quest cultivar had a higher ability to produce Fe plaques and a 1.3- and 1.4-times higher Cd concentration compared with the Langi cultivar in Soils 1 and 2, respectively. Display omitted •Grain and straw yield of rice plant was declined with soil Cd up to 36% and 26%.•Grain Cd concentration was 2.8-fold higher in rice grown in soil pH 4.6 than soil pH 6.6.•Fe plaque formation was higher in Quest rice in soil pHs of 4.6 and 6.6 than Langi.•Iron plaque formation depends on soil pH, rice cultivars and addition of Fe.