From romance to receipts: Aussies rethink first date expectations
Who pays on a first date has become one of the most awkward interactions in modern romance, and Australians are deeply divided, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,006 respondents revealed almost half (44%) believe the bill should be split evenly on a first date.
The research found 2 in 5 (39%) say the person who asked for the date should pay, while 11% still believe it should come down to gender.
Just 6% of Aussies believe the higher earner should pick up the tab.
First dates don't come cheap. Finder research shows Aussies spend $149 on the date itself, plus a hefty $522 getting ready – with big spends on clothes and shoes ($196), gifts ($174) and beauty treatments ($152).
Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, said rising living costs are reshaping Australia's dating culture.
"What was once driven purely by attraction now comes with a price tag, as singles juggle dating alongside soaring rent, grocery and household expenses.
"Although splitting the bill has become the most common approach on a first date, expectations aren't always aligned – and when they clash, it can quickly derail the experience."
Pike said most people don't want money to be part of the conversation early on.
"Problems can start when two people have different expectations about who should pay, and that can make things awkward before the date even has a chance to go well.
"With the cost of dating going up, more Australians are choosing options that feel practical and fair, instead of sticking to old dating rules.
"Finding a relationship still matters, but people don't want to put their finances under pressure to do it," Pike said.
Who do you think should pay on a first date?
| Split equally | 44% |
| The person who initiated the date | 39% |
| It should be based on gender | 11% |
| The person who earns more | 6% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,006 Australians December 2025 |  |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,006 respondents from December 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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