The Bachelorette casting has begun. But this year, there are changes.

Season four of The Bachelor hasn’t yet hit our screens and already Channel 10 are recruiting for the next season of The Bachelorette.

And if their casting specifications are anything to go by, the upcoming season will be deviating from the traditional (and let’s face it, highly successful) Bachie formula. Well, kind of.

Channel 10 have put the call out for younger men keen to date an older woman. But if you’re expecting some Real Housewives of Melbourne style action, you’re going to be a bit disappointed.

An ad on Castasugar is seeking women aged 25-35 to apply for the role of Bachelorette. When it comes to finding the Bachelorette’s prospective suitors, Channel 10 are lowing the age range by two years, seeking gentlemen aged between 23-35.

"If you’re searching for that special someone and looking for love," the advertisement says, "then the next season of The Bachelorette is casting right now."

In past series, the matches have traditionally consisted of an older male and younger female. Sasha Mielczarek, 30, won the heart of 26-year-old Sam Frost on last year's season of The Bachelorette, and while filming season one of The Bachelor Tim Robards was four years older than his lady-love Anna Heinrich, who was 26 at the time.

It was clear very early on that Sam and Sash were going to hit it off (courtesy of Channel 10). Post continues after video... 

The original casting advertisement for the upcoming season of The Bachelor requested applications for women aged 22- 35. But when it came to finding the Bachelor of their dreams, Channel 10 were after a man between 27-35 years old. It has since been revealed 30-year-old former Bachelorette contestant Richie Strahan will be the show's star.

Okay, so let's be real. Lowering the application age by two years might be something new for The Bachelor, but it's not exactly a new concept. Not even for reality television dating shows.

Who remembers The Age of Love?

In 2007, American network NBC ran a dating show starring Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis. The show followed The Scud as he searched for his soul-mate. The group of women competing for his love varied in age from their early 20s and late 40s.

Contestants were split into two categories, 'kittens' and 'cougars'. Charming.

Each week, much like on The Bachelor, Philippoussis would accompany one or two women on a date. At the end of the episode, the contestants would be asked one by one if they would like to continue to 'date' the tennis star (what no roses?). One woman would inevitably be eliminated. In the season finale of Age of Love, the final three contestants flew to Melbourne to meet Phillippoussis' family.

In the end, Philippoussis found love with 28-year-old cheerleader Amanda Salinas. For five months. Until she realised he had a "bad work ethic" and dodgey spending habit.

Filming for the new season of The Bachelorette is set to commence in early June. So, "If love is in your sights and you’re ready to find THE ONE," and are open to the idea of dating a ever-so-slightly younger man, go ahead, apply here.