Australia Online Dating
Code of Conduct
People should feel confident and empowered to use dating apps to build meaningful new connections. That’s why Australia’s leading dating platforms have come together to promote safety through the Online Dating Code.
By setting clear, transparent rules for how dating platforms prevent, detect, and respond to online-enabled harm, we’re helping every Australian match and meet with greater confidence.
What is the Online Dating Code of Conduct?
Effective since 1 October 2024, the Code is a voluntary, industry-led standard developed by Match Group, Bumble, The Meet Group, eharmony, Spark, Grindr and RSVP. Its creation involved extensive consultation with the Australian government, safety advocates, and other stakeholders. The code is grounded in transparency and accountability – requiring annual reports to regulators, clear safety benchmarks, and plain-language commitments so users know exactly what platforms are doing to keep them safe.
How Self-Regulation Works
By proactively collaborating with the government and relevant authorities in a constructive way, the dating app industry can:
- Share best practices, and pool data and expertise to stay ahead of emerging threats
- Build trust and demonstrate to users that companies are proactive about maintaining their safety
- Move faster, and introduce new safety tools and policies without waiting for legislation that requires them to impose these requirements
How Oversight Works
The Online Dating Code is not just a set of commitments, it’s backed by a strong, multi-layered governance structure to ensure ongoing accountability and public trust. Three dedicated bodies oversee the Code’s implementation, review, and enforcement.
The Code Oversight Body is made up of representatives from each dating service that has signed onto the Code. It is the coordinating group that keeps all signatories aligned and moving forward together. This group is responsible for:
- Overseeing the ongoing operation and development of the Code
- Approving updates or amendments based on new risks or technologies
- Appointing members of the Code Compliance Committee
- Promoting transparency across the industry
The Code Compliance Committee is an independent panel tasked with holding signatories accountable. It reviews public complaints, verifies dating services’ self-assessed compliance, and ensures they meet their obligations under the Code. The Committee consists of three expert and impartial members, who cannot be employed by a dating service, and have a duty to disclose any conflict of interest during their appointment:
- A qualified legal professional admitted to practice in Australia
- A public interest expert with a background in online safety, gender-based violence, or public policy
- A technology specialist with experience in large-scale social or dating platforms
The Code Secretariat provides the essential administrative and operational support that keeps everything running smoothly. Its responsibilities include maintaining this website and publishing updates, supporting both the other Code bodies in carrying out their functions, and managing incoming enquiries and coordinating complaint submissions.
The self-assessment is completed by each dating service that has signed onto the Code to show how well they meet the safety standards set out in the Code. These assessments are reviewed by the Code Oversight Body, and disputes are handled by the independent Code Compliance Committee. Each service’s rating is published on their platform so users can easily see their safety commitment. Services are rated into one of three tiers:
- Tier One: Fully meets all Code requirements and follows best practices for user safety
- Tier Two: Meets most requirements and is largely aligned with safety standards
- Tier Three: Partially meets the Code or still has key improvements to make