Mel Schilling

Mel Schilling is a psychologist, dating coach and television presenter, widely recognised as the resident relationship expert on ‘Married at First Sight Australia’. A compelling and insightful speaker, Melanie is best known for her ‘confronting, yet kind’ communication style and her ability to translate complex psychological principles into practical advice. Her biggest achievement is serving as Relationship Expert on ‘Married at First Sight Australia’ for 12 seasons, while also becoming Relationship Coach and Expert Panel Member on ‘Married at First Sight UK’, establishing herself as a trusted authority in both Australia and the UK.

Melanie’s career began in organisational psychology after completing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Deakin University, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at the University of Melbourne, and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources and Industrial Relations at Victoria University. Early roles with multinational and national consulting firms saw her specialising in behavioural assessment, leadership development and talent strategy. She later founded her own consultancy, building a reputation for delivering evidence-based coaching to corporate and government clients across Australia and the Middle East. In 2013, Melanie became the first Australian accredited by the International Dating Coaching Association, and in 2014 she was appointed Dating and Relationship Expert for eHarmony Australia, marking a pivotal shift towards her work in modern dating and relationships.

Her transition into television brought her expertise to a global audience. As Relationship Expert on ‘Married at First Sight Australia’, Melanie played a central role in shaping one of the most talked-about social experiments on television, guiding hundreds of couples through highly charged commitment ceremonies. She expanded her reach further as Relationship Coach on ‘Married at First Sight UK’ from 2021 onwards, while making regular appearances on major UK programmes including ‘This Morning’. Alongside her broadcasting work, Melanie has continued as a Confidence, Relationships and Success Coach, working privately with individuals and delivering workshops and retreats. Following a public battle with colon cancer in 2023 and announcing remission in 2025, Melanie has also become a powerful advocate for resilience and perspective.

Event organisers hire Mel for her rare combination of clinical credibility, media experience and genuine warmth. She speaks on confidence, communication, emotional intelligence, modern dating, resilience and behavioural change, topics that resonate across corporate, educational and consumer audiences. Melanie equips leaders with tools to address difficult conversations, helps teams understand behavioural patterns, and empowers individuals to build healthier professional and personal relationships.