MATES: Australia’s new visa programme that can benefit Indian students

With this in mind, Australia and India are further strengthening ties with the new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES). This scheme is being introduced from late 2024. On May 23, 2023, Australia and India entered into a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA).

Under MATES, Indian university graduates and early career professionals from India’s top universities will be able to apply for the MATES stream visa under the Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403), giving them the opportunity to live and work in Australia for up to two years. However, MATES participants will not be eligible to take part in this scheme more than once.

MATES will be open to Indian nationals who:

— are aged 30 or younger (inclusive) at the time of application;

— have not previously participated in MATES;

— have proficient English language skills (overall IELTS or equivalent score of at least 6, with a minimum score of 5 for each of the four parts);

— have graduated within two years from an eligible educational institution at the time of application; and

— hold a qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher) in one of the following:

– renewable energy
– mining
– engineering
– Information Communications Technology (ICT)
– artificial intelligence (AI)
– financial technology (FinTech)
– agricultural technology (AgriTech).

As per the official notification, 3,000 temporary visa places will be allocated annually through a visa pre-application ballot process, providing an equitable, streamlined and transparent way to select applicants to participate in MATES. Eligible fields of study include renewable energy, mining, engineering, information and communication technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology and agricultural technology. ​

Additionally, MATES participants will be able to apply to bring dependants (spouses and dependent children). These dependants will also have work rights in Australia, and will not count towards the annual cap.

“MATES is the centrepiece mobility offer in the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership 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,” said Matt​ Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Government of Australia.