The Seven Network has confirmed it plans to create an Australian version of a controversial US dating series which sees four couples on the brink of separation embark on a daring new social experiment in an attempt to save their marriage.

In Seven Year Switch, viewers follow the journey of each broken relationship to see whether it can be saved by swapping partners with a couple experiencing similar marriage issues. Relationship psychologists will be there to guide the couples through the process.

The lovelorn couples are at a crossroads in their relationship and will get the chance to live with a like-minded new partner for two weeks, in a trial marriage, to reveal whether similar traits and characteristics in a partner is the missing ingredient to making a relationship stronger.

This unorthodox experiment has been described as "totally unpredictable and life-changing". It follows the huge success Nine experienced last year with Married at First Sight.

Two relationship experts will guide the couples through the therapy process, as they adjust to living with an experimental partner.

At the end of the month-long experiment, each of the couples will reunite and make the decision to either part ways or reaffirm their commitment.

Seven’s Director of Production Brad Lyons says,

“This is an extremely controversial and radical approach. This show will cause couples on the edge of splitting up to take a really hard look at their relationship and decide if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence”.