By Dr. Max Langdon — Senior Digital Dating Analyst. Specializing in the psychological strategy of high-value relationships, market dynamics, and behavioral analysis of elite dating communities. Australia has no shortage of dating apps, but choosing the right one depends on your relationship goals. Whether you’re looking for a serious relationship, casual dating, or a platform for career-driven professionals, the best dating apps in Australia all offer different strengths. Choosing the wrong one often means wasted time, poor matches, and unnecessary subscription costs. Online dating is now one of the most common ways Australians meet new partners, making it harder to decide which platform is actually worth using. That’s why we compared the most popular dating apps and dating sites in Australia based on user experience, features, safety, verification, and relationship goals, so you can find the one that best fits your needs without downloading multiple apps. Key Takeaways Best for professionals: Luxy offers verified, career-focused dating for selective singles. Best for serious relationships: Hinge is ideal for meaningful, long-term connections. Best for women: Bumble lets women make the first move. Best for the largest dating pool: Tinder has the broadest user base in Australia. Best Australian dating service: RSVP is a trusted choice for mature singles. Best for compatibility: eHarmony focuses on long-term, personality-based matching. Best for inclusivity: OkCupid supports diverse identities and relationship preferences. Prioritize safety: Choose apps with strong verification and built-in safety features. Best Australia Dating Apps: Quick Comparison Table App Best For Relationship Type Free Features Luxy Selective singles Serious, long-term Curated daily swipes Unlimited chat with mutual likes Full profile browsing Hinge Career-driven professionals Serious, long-term Unlimited likes and prompts Messaging with matches Limited “Likes You” visibility Bumble Women-first dating Casual to serious Unlimited swiping and matching Messaging within the 24-hour window Tinder Largest dating pool Casual to serious Daily swipe limit Basic matching and messaging with matches RSVP Australian local dating Serious, long-term Free profile creation and browsing Limited messaging before upgrading eHarmony Compatibility matching Serious,marriage-minded Compatibility questionnaire and limited matches Messaging requires a subscription OkCupid Inclusive dating Casual to serious Unlimited swiping Matching and messaging Full questionnaire access Brand popularity in Australia shifts from year to year as apps invest in local marketing and safety features, and Statista’s consumer survey data on online dating usage by brand in Australia shows just how fragmented the market really is. Matching the app to your goals matters more than chasing whichever platform is “trending.” 7 Best Dating Apps in Australia 1. Luxy — Best for Selective Singles Best For: Selective singles who want verified, high-quality matches Overview: Luxy is a strong choice for high-achieving professionals looking for a more selective dating app in Australia. It uses photo verification, profile screening, and optional income verification to reduce fake accounts and low-effort users. It’s built for people who are tired of generic swiping apps and want a smaller, more curated pool of ambitious matches. Dating Experience in Australia: Luxy has a growing presence in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, where its professional user base tends to concentrate around finance, law, medicine, and tech. Because the platform emphasizes verification and a curated community, the pace is slower than Tinder or Bumble, but conversations tend to be more intentional. Luxy’s international member base also makes it a practical choice for professionals who frequently travel between Australia and New Zealand. Key Features: 24-hour profile review, photo and video verification, and optional income verification Roll social feed for sharing updates and interacting beyond traditional matching Boosts and Roses to increase profile visibility and show interest Unlimited messaging after a mutual match Privacy controls, including Fraud Detection, Anonymous Visits, and Hide My Location Looking for ambitious, relationship-minded singles? Tap the “To LUXY Dating” button on this page to explore Luxy’s verified community. 2. Hinge — Best for Serious Relationships Best For: Singles who want meaningful, long-term relationships Overview: Hinge remains one of Australia’s top dating apps for serious relationships, especially for younger singles seeking long-term compatibility. The brand markets itself as “designed to be deleted,” and the product backs that up. Instead of endless swiping on photos, profiles are built around prompts and short answers that encourage more meaningful conversations before you match. Dating Experience in Australia: Hinge has grown quickly in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, particularly among users in their late 20s and 30s who are moving beyond casual dating. The prompt-based format also attracts people willing to invest more effort into their profiles. Key Features: Prompt-based profiles that encourage genuine conversations “Most Compatible” daily match recommendations Voice notes and video prompts Standouts feature for high-potential matches Photo verification and in-app safety tools 3. Bumble — Best Women-First Dating App Best For: Women who want more control over who they talk to Overview: Bumble continues to be a popular dating app in Australia for users who value a safer, more balanced dating experience. Its core rule—women must send the first message in heterosexual matches within 24 hours—was designed to reduce unsolicited messages and give women more control. In same-sex matches, either person can message first. Dating Experience in Australia: Bumble has a strong following across Australia’s major cities and is often recommended as a comfortable starting point for women new to online dating. Beyond dating, Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz extend the platform to friendships and professional networking. Key Features: Women-message-first model for heterosexual matches 24-hour match expiry Built-in video and voice calling Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz Photo verification and safety tools 4. Tinder — Best for the Largest Dating Pool Best For: Singles who want the widest possible selection of matches Overview: With its huge user base, Tinder remains one of the most widely used dating apps in Australia for meeting new people. Its popularity spans major cities as well as many regional areas, making it a practical choice for people who want the broadest dating pool. Dating Experience in Australia: Tinder is often the first dating app Australians try because of its widespread popularity and simple swipe-based interface. While many users are looking for casual dating, the platform also attracts people seeking serious relationships, creating a broad mix of dating intentions. Key Features: One of the largest dating pools in Australia Easy-to-use swipe interface Global matching for travel and relocation Explore feature for interest-based discovery Free version with optional premium upgrades 5. RSVP — Best Australian Dating Service Best For: Australians who prefer a homegrown, established dating site Overview: RSVP remains one of the most established dating apps and sites in Australia for mature singles seeking meaningful relationships. It’s one of Australia’s longest-running dating services, predating many swipe-based apps. It offers a more traditional online dating experience, with detailed profiles and search filters rather than quick swiping. Dating Experience in Australia: RSVP’s long history has helped it build a loyal user base, particularly among singles over 35. According to RSVP, more than 4 million Australians have used the platform, making it one of the country’s most established dating services. It’s frequently recommended for mature Australians looking for long-term relationships and a more profile-focused approach to online dating. Key Features: Long-established Australian dating brand Detailed profiles and advanced search filters Popular with mature and regional Australian singles Profile moderation and safety features Dating advice and relationship resources 6. eHarmony — Best for Compatibility Matching Best For: Singles who want data-driven, curated matches Overview: For singles who value compatibility over endless swiping, eHarmony remains a leading choice for long-term dating in Australia. It’s built around an in-depth compatibility questionnaire that matches people based on shared values, personality, and relationship goals rather than photos alone. The experience focuses on quality over quantity. Dating Experience in Australia: Australian users complete a detailed onboarding questionnaire before receiving matches, helping filter out people who aren’t serious about dating. This approach has made eHarmony particularly popular with singles over 35 looking for long-term commitment. Key Features: Comprehensive compatibility questionnaire Curated daily match recommendations Guided conversation prompts Secure video calling Strong focus on long-term relationships 7. OkCupid — Best for Inclusive Dating Best For: LGBTQ+ singles and people who want flexible identity options Overview: For people looking beyond traditional dating apps, OkCupid stands out as one of Australia’s most inclusive dating platforms. The platform built its reputation on an extensive personality questionnaire and remains one of the most inclusive mainstream dating apps, offering a wide range of gender identities, sexual orientations, and compatibility-based matching. Dating Experience in Australia: OkCupid has a solid presence in Australia’s major cities, particularly among younger, progressive users and the LGBTQ+ community. Many users appreciate its detailed profile options and values-based matching over appearance-first swiping. Key Features: Extensive personality and lifestyle questionnaire Compatibility scores for potential matches Inclusive gender identity and orientation options Free membership with optional premium features Active LGBTQ+ community Quick Overview of Dating Apps in Australia Australia has dozens of dating platforms available, from mainstream apps and local dating sites to niche communities for professionals, mature singles, and long-term relationships. Below is a quick overview of the most widely available options. Dating App Best For Free Version Luxy Selective & career-driven professionals Yes Hinge Serious relationships Yes Bumble Women-first dating Yes Tinder Largest user base Yes RSVP Australian local dating Yes eHarmony Compatibility matching Yes (Limited) OkCupid Inclusive matching Yes Coffee Meets Bagel Quality over quantity Yes Plenty of Fish Free online dating Yes Which Dating App Is Best for Serious Relationships in Australia? If you’re looking for a serious relationship in Australia, these dating apps are among the best choices: Hinge – Best for meaningful conversations and long-term relationships. Luxy – Ideal for high-net-worth singles seeking relationship-minded partners. eHarmony – Uses compatibility matching to connect people looking for lasting relationships. RSVP – A long-established Australian dating site popular with mature singles. What Are the Best Dating Apps for Women in Their 30s in Australia? Women in their 30s often look for dating apps that prioritize compatibility, safety, and genuine relationships. These platforms are strong options: Hinge – Great for relationship-focused dating and active users in their late 20s and 30s. Bumble – Women make the first move, giving them more control over conversations. Luxy – Suitable for professionals seeking ambitious and verified matches. eHarmony – Best for women looking for commitment and compatibility. What Are the Best Dating Apps for Over 40 in Australia? Singles over 40 often prioritize shared values, compatibility, and relationship goals over casual dating. Here are the best dating apps for mature singles over 40 in Australia: eHarmony – Excellent for compatibility-focused matchmaking. RSVP – Well known among mature Australian singles. Luxy – Best for high-net-worth singles looking for serious relationships. Bumble – Offers a large and active user base across different age groups. It’s also worth noting that older Australians are disproportionately targeted by online scammers, so verification features matter as much as compatibility tools at this stage of life. The ACCC’s National Anti-Scam Centre reported more than $28.6 million in romance scam losses across 2025, a 21.8% increase on the year before, with scammers overwhelmingly making first contact through dating platforms and social media. In practice, that means treating requests for money or gift cards from a new match — no matter how genuine they seem — as an automatic red flag, and sticking to apps with identity verification and in-app reporting. FAQ Q1: Are there completely free dating apps in Australia? Yes. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Luxy, OkCupid, and Plenty of Fish all offer functional free tiers that let you create a profile, match, and message without paying. Premium subscriptions unlock extras like unlimited likes, advanced filters, or seeing who’s already liked you, but they’re optional rather than required to use the app. Q2: Do dating apps actually work in Australia? They can, but results vary widely depending on the app and how you use it. Many Australians have met long-term partners through apps like Hinge, eHarmony, and Luxy, which are built around relationship intent rather than casual swiping. That said, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner cites research finding that 72.3% of Australian dating app users...
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Doggy style is one of the most universally popular sex positions, at least according to both online surveys and Google search data. It requires no flexibility, and is an easy position for most people to get into. Some people like doggy style because it allows for deeper penetration, but that’s not always a good thing and can sometimes lead to painful intercourse.
If you usually have missionary sex, doing it doggy style can feel like a whole new world, says Dr. Patti Britton, PhD, clinical sexologist. “You may not be used to the angle and depth of penetration, so it’s a new area of sensation,” Dr. Britton says. One of the reasons doggy style is such a popular position is that it allows for easy access to the clitoris. The penetrating partner can glide along the external clitoral head or make contact while they’re thrusting internally whether it’s with their bodies, balls or digits. But there are a few reasons why doggy style in particular might not feel great — and if something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not all in your head. Ultimately, sex should feel good, and if it doesn’t, that’s worth investigating.
When you’re on your hands and knees in doggy style position, your pelvis tilts in a way that can “truncate the length of the vagina” or “scrunch up” the vaginal canal, says Dr. Britton. “When it becomes uncomfortable, it could be that he’s too long, he’s hitting too hard, he’s smashing against the donut of the cervix, she could have cysts on her cervix,” adds Dr. Britton. As you can imagine, that can cause intense, painful pressure.
If that’s the case, Dr. Britton suggests trying to make the movements slow and deliberate, instead of pounding the penis or object in and out. Sometimes a speed adjustment is all it takes to feel better, but it depends on people’s anatomy. There are a few other variables, such as the size, length, girth and shape of your partner’s penis or the object being used for penetration.
Again, the thing about doggy style is that your partner can go very deep in this position, Dr. Britton says. Many people may want to pound or thrust intensely from behind, she says. Tell your partner if it’s painful. “If you have sensitivity at the cervix, this can promote more discomfort or hurt having a pounding object toward the cervix,” she says. “If he’s penetrating too deep, if he’s thrusting in too deeply, The Ohnut is a really great option because he doesn’t have to work so hard to control where his body is going.” Also known as a bumper or stopper, these depth-limiting rings allow users to customize how much the penetrating object can enter the vagina. Using them is as simple as stacking the stretchy rings around the base of a penis or dildo. Stackable cock rings are another solution but the wearer will have to limit use to 20 to 30 minutes so as not to constrict blood flow for too long.
Another thing to consider? Holding yourself in a tabletop position requires some body strength, so your vagina “isn’t exactly in a relaxed state,” Dr. Britton says. “Whereas lying on your back and being penetrated from above can actually allow you to be in a relaxed state, even though you’re tense and turned on.” For some, resting on your elbows instead of the palms of your hands or adding cushions underneath your joints can help reduce some of the pressure. Keeping your back arched can also lead to pain, adds Dr. Britton, in which case a pillow under the abdomen can help.
You may have to try a few different angles before you find one that feels good. But it’s also okay if doggy style is just not the ideal position for you and your partner. If you want to experience penetration from behind, there are other, less intense positions that you could try, such as spooning or laying completely flat on the bed, Dr. Britton says. You can also play with downward dog, and have your partner stand and penetrate you from behind, she suggests. That said, don’t feel like you have to get acrobatic to make it work.
If you’ve tried all of that and it still hurts, or you’re bleeding, mention it to your Ob/Gyn so they can make sure that you don’t have an underlying condition that’s causing the pain, like endometriosis or a vaginal infection. Not to mention, communicating with your partner when something doesn’t feel good during sex (and when it does feel good) is always a good thing. And if they’re still not getting it, blast “The Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine the next time you have sex, and see if they get the picture.
This article was originally published in May 2017 and has been updated.
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