Australia and India are strengthening their relationship with the Mobility Arrangement for Talent Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), set to launch in December 2024. This initiative will open doors for young Indian professionals to gain valuable experience in Australia while contributing to key industries.
What is MATES?
It is a new pathway under the Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403), specifically designed for Indian graduates and early career professionals. MATES allows Indian graduates and early career professionals with knowledge and skills in targeted fields of study to live and work in Australia for up to two years, benefiting both countries through skill-sharing and professional growth.
Whilst there is no strict requirement for visa holders to work in their nominated field of study, it is designed to support young professionals expand their skills, particularly in the eligible industries.
Participants will be able to bring their dependants. Dependants will have work rights.
Ballot Process
The MATES program will allocate 3,000 temporary visa places annually, with secondary applicants excluded from this cap. You must first register in the pre-application ballot. Those selected in the ballot will then be invited to apply for the visa. You cannot apply for a visa without an invitation. A $25.00 fee will apply for each registration submitted through the visa pre-application process (ballot). The first ballot for this visa stream is set to open for registrations from December 2024.
This equitable system ensures talented professionals from India have a fair chance to secure a place in the program, contributing to Australia’s key industries.
If you are randomly selected in the ballot, you will receive a letter of invitation to apply for a Subclass 403 MATES stream visa. You will be given 30 calendar das from the date of selection to complete and submit a visa application online.
Eligibility Criteria
Primary visa applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid passport for the Republic of India;
- Be aged between 18-30;
- Have recently graduated from an eligible educational institution, with an eligible qualification ;
- Have not previously been to or in Australia as a holder of the subclass 403 visa in the MATES stream;
- Meet the required language proficiency requirements;
- Be able to support yourself and any dependants; and Meet the health and character requirements.
There will be no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer to be eligible to apply for a visa as part of MATES.
You must also be outside Australia when you apply for the visa and when a decision is made on the visa.
Duration of Stay
This is a temporary visa. Visa holders will have 12 months to make their first visa entry into Australia and may stay in Australia for 24 months from the date of the first entry.
The visa will allow multiple entries to Australia.
Educational Requirements
Participants must have obtained a qualification and graduated from an eligible educational institution within two years of the beginning of the ballot registration open period. The eligible educational institutions are those listed on the Indian Ministry of Education’s National Institutional Ranking Framework India’s Rankings Overall 2024 List here.
The qualification must also be equivalent to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 7 degree Bachelor degree or higher qualification. This means a:
- Bachelor degree;
- Bachelor degree (honours/research);
- Postgraduate diploma;
- Masters degree;
- Doctoral degree.
The qualification must also relate to one of these specified industries:
- renewable energy;
- mining;
- engineering;
- information communications technology;
- artificial intelligence;
- financial technology;
- agricultural technology.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must achieve the following scores in one sitting of an approved English test:
- Advanced (CAE): an overall band score of at least 169; at least 154 for each test component
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): overall band score of at least 6 and a score of at least 5 for each test component
- Occupational English Test (OET): at least C for each test component Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) an overall band score of at least 50 and a score of at least 36 for each test component
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT): an overall score of at least 64 and at least specified scores for each component
Applicants must have undertaken the language test and achieved the required test scores within one of the following periods:
- within 1 year immediately before the day on which the application for the MATES stream visa is made, if evidence of the test is provided at the time that application is made
- within 1 year immediately before the day on which a decision is made on that application, if evidence of the test is not provided at the time the visa application is made
Concluding thoughts
According to Assistant Minister for Immigration, Hon. Matt Thistlewaite:
“MATES is the centrepiece mobility offer in the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Arrangement, and supports our migration priorities by attracting some of India’s most talented graduates with in-demand knowledge and skills to Australia. MATES is mutually beneficial for both countries, allowing young Indian professionals with the right qualifications to utilise and expand their skills and experience in relevant Australian industries.”
This new scheme represents the mutual commitment between Australia and India to promote collaboration, innovation, and growth across borders.
If you are considering applying or want to understand how this program might benefit you, please contact us!
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.
Contact Migrations Affairs to speak with our immigration experts for tailored advice on the circumstances and eligibility.