How online dating in Australia works
Online dating in Australia runs on the same big apps as in the US and UK. Hinge, Bumble and Tinder are the main dating apps in Australia’s cities, eHarmony and Match are the dating websites for people who want something serious, and SilverSingles is built for over 50s. One thing is different: Australia has its own long-running dating site, RSVP, and an industry safety code that the big apps have signed. Prices are set in Australian dollars, so the plan you see in the app is the one that applies to you.
RSVP, the homegrown Aussie dating site
RSVP has been Australia’s own dating site since 1997. You browse local singles and send Winks for free, then use a Stamp to start a conversation, and the other person can reply without paying. Stamps are sold one at a time or in packs, and Premium+ and Platinum subscriptions add extras such as appearing at the top of search results. That suits people who would rather pay for a few real conversations than a plan they might not use. Its iPhone app has a low rating in the Australian App Store (2.6 from 122 ratings in October 2026), so try the website as well as the app.
Australia’s online dating safety code
Australia is one of the few countries with a dedicated safety code for dating apps. The Online Dating Industry Code came into effect in October 2024 and has been enforced since April 2025. Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Grindr, eHarmony and RSVP are among the services that signed it (Global Dating Insights, 2025). Under the code, apps must:
- have systems to detect and act on harmful behavior, and give you clear ways to report it;
- ban someone across all the company’s apps when they’re removed from one for serious harm;
- publish reports on the accounts they ban, and work with police when someone is in immediate danger.
The code is industry-run rather than law. An independent committee can warn apps or suspend their accreditation, but it can’t fine them. If an app ignores a report, you can still go to the police or the eSafety Commissioner.
Dating sites for over 50s in Australia
Over 50 in Australia, you have more choice than the swipe apps suggest. RSVP’s membership leans towards over-35s, eHarmony’s compatibility matching suits people who know what they want, and SilverSingles admits only members over 50. If you’d like company first and romance later, Stitch is a community for over 50s run by an Australian company. See our ranking of dating sites for over 50s for the full list.
Dating in Sydney, Melbourne, QLD and beyond
In the big cities, the swipe apps give you plenty of choice. Dating in regional Queensland, WA or the NT is different: pools thin out quickly, so a site that lets you search a wide area, such as RSVP or Match, often works better than a swipe app. If you live on the land, our rural dating sites ranking may help.
Free dating sites in Australia and what paid plans cost
Hinge, Bumble and Tinder are the main free dating sites in Australia: you can match and message without paying. RSVP is free to browse and wink, with Stamps for conversations. eHarmony, SilverSingles and Zoosk are free to join and browse but charge for full messaging. Most subscriptions renew automatically, so set a reminder if you only want to try one.
Reporting romance scams in Australia
Australians reported losing $139.9 million to romance scams in 2025, according to the National Anti-Scam Centre (ACCC, 2026). If you’re targeted, stop contact, call your bank if you’ve sent money, and report it to Scamwatch or ReportCyber. Our romance scam guide explains the warning signs.
Tips before you start
In the cities, try two apps at once, such as Hinge for relationships plus Bumble or Tinder for volume. In regional areas, widen your distance setting and try a site with search, such as RSVP or Match.
For a first date, pick somewhere public and easy to reach, such as a café or a walk along the beach, and tell a friend where you’ll be. A quick video call first confirms your match is who they say they are, which is worth doing every time.