“Beware the personality catfish”: How Australian singles are dating in 2025

Some locals share how they’re looking for love this year, on and off the apps.

As 2025 dawns and summer peaks, it’s the time of year when many Australians begin to dip their toes back into the proverbial dating pool. Whether it’s the relaxed vibe of the season, the fact that we’re more sun-kissed, or simply the social energy of summer, the allure of a fling can feel especially enticing right now.

Admittedly, it’s been a while since I’ve thought seriously about dating. I’ve been with my current partner for nearly four years, so most of my knowledge about the dating scene now comes secondhand from my friends. But as a seasoned dater and app user back in my single era, I’ll happily act as a confidante, a wing-woman, or a ruthless judge whenever I’m given the chance to vet their matches on the apps.

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Observing from the sidelines, I can’t help but reflect on how the dating landscape has changed since the last time I was immersed in it. As 2024 drew to a close, conversations about dating became more frequent among my single friends: ‘Do you think this guy is ghosting me?’; ‘Oh my god, did I tell you about my date the other night?’; and ‘I think I’ll just do it for the plot’ are all messages I’ve received over the last few weeks.

The air is thick with chaotic, romantic energy, and I’m wondering what 2025 has in store for my nearest and dearest singletons. 

Dating with intent

After years of frivolous flings and one-off hook-ups, it seems many singles are moving away from casual encounters in 2025. According to a recent report from Bumble, nearly three in four people using the app are looking to find a long-term partner this year. However, for many single women, settling isn’t on the cards either – 66 per cent of Australian women reported that they’re being more honest with themselves and no longer making compromises. 

Among the Aussie singles I spoke to, these statistics seem to check out. Kate, a 27-year-old from Sydney says, “In 2025, I’m approaching dating with a sense of entitlement, knowing my worth, holding high standards and not compromising on what I want.”.

For 29-year-old Tommy, casual dating after their serious relationship ended in 2023 initially felt exciting, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. “I want to give myself some proper time to be single, after a long-term relationship and a year of dating five people to varying degrees of seriousness, I definitely need some time to myself,” they say. “I haven’t really been using Tinder or Hinge to look for more long-term stuff, just Grindr and meeting people through friends, so part of me is excited to date intentionally, rather than by accident.”

Beware the personality catfish

A common trend in the Australian dating scene is the apparent gap between online personas and real-life interactions. With social media and apps playing an increasingly large role in our love lives, many singles are portraying themselves as more charismatic and intriguing online, creating personas that often fall short in person. Of the singles I spoke to, all had similar things to say about their IRL encounters. 

“I think someone who’s not engaging at all online or on an app won’t be the one. Similarly, someone who’s pouring way too much sauce on their messages might not be either,” says 26-year-old Jack. “I reckon the Goldilocks zone is someone who can be funny over text, but prefers real-life meet-ups.”

“Some people can have great rizz online but are cardboard boxes in person,” says 26-year-old Taylor. “I’m not a big texter and can be quite blunt but have a lot of personality in person, which can change the whole vibe of an interaction.”

“Some people are quite good at showing a version of themselves online, both visually and personality-wise, that doesn’t match up with how they really are,” says Tommy. “On the other hand, I think some people struggle to adjust to online dating and are far better if you give them a chance in person.”

“The people who are the most chatty and charismatic online tend to be shy and awkward in real life, and vice versa,” says Kate. “I’m not the jazziest messager, but I have a lot to offer in person.”

Let’s be blunt

The fact that terms like ‘ghosting’ and ‘bread crumbing’ exist makes it clear we’ve got a bit of a problem with communicating openly and honestly with those we date. Each of the Australian singles I interviewed said that open communication was something they valued highly when dating, even if they’re not always good at it themselves. 

“As a general rule, the earlier you have those [honest] chats, the better,” says Jack. “As a straight man, I’ve found women really appreciate being told upfront if you’re not looking for something serious. Lord knows I’ve had enough practice.”

“I don’t communicate well. I’m bad at it… something to work on in 2025. In my and my friend’s experiences, men are also bad,” says Kate. “PSA: watch out for the love bombing!”

“I think those open conversations are the most necessary early on in dating someone but are also the most difficult to have at that point,” says Tommy. “You don’t want to scare someone off by being more or less engaged than them. I’m personally someone who doesn’t love exclusivity, and the last person I was seeing said that was fine until a month or so later when they broke things off, partly because that was too much for them.” 

While you should by no means let dating app data and the insights of strangers guide your own intentions in 2025, there’s a lot to be said for knowing what you want out of a relationship, portraying the most genuine version of yourself online and communicating openly and honestly with those you date. Whether you’re already engaging in a swipe-fest this summer, or you’re erring on the side of caution, ultimately, only you know what’s best for you. 

For more on navigating the dating online, head here.