Australia-India MATES Program: 3000 Annual Visas for Indians

Australia and India are boosting ties through a new program called the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES), set to start in late 2024. This initiative is part of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), which the two countries signed on May 23, 2023. The MATES program aims to provide temporary work opportunities for recent Indian graduates and early-career professionals.

Under MATES, eligible graduates from top Indian universities can apply for a Temporary Work (International Relations) Subclass 403 visa. This visa allows them to live and work in Australia for up to two years. Each year, 3,000 visas will be granted through a lottery-style system to ensure a fair selection process. Additionally, visa holders can bring family members, such as spouses and children, who will be allowed to work in Australia as well, without impacting the annual visa limit.

Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite highlighted that MATES is a key part of the MMPA and will help attract skilled Indian graduates to Australia. The program focuses on specific skill areas needed in Australia, supporting both countries by fostering professional growth in fields like engineering, IT, and renewable energy.

To be eligible for MATES, applicants must meet a few requirements: they should be 30 or younger, have strong English skills (an IELTS score of at least 6, with a minimum of 5 in each section), hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (such as AI, mining, or FinTech), and have completed their studies within the past two years at an approved institution.