New Delhi: Australia and India have attempted a lot to build bilateral relations by establishing the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme, commonly referred to as MATES. It is said to begin late in 2024 to allow recent graduates and young Indian professionals to study or work from top universities in India within Australia straight for two years, aiming at filling gaps in various workforce sectors.
The MATES program allows Indian nationals holding qualifications in areas like renewable energy, mining, engineering, IT, AI, fintech, and Agri-Tech to apply for a Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403) visa. The number of visa spots will be 3,000 every year through an open ballot system. Dependents, whether partners or children, can come along with a MATES participant and the dependents also enjoy work rights, and are not subject to general visa limit.
Eligibility Requirements
The person applying for the MATES scheme must fulfill these requirements:
* Age is more than 30 years when applying
* General at least 6 and at least 5 in all aspects of IELTS.
* Must have completed a recent BachelorтАЩs degree or higher from an eligible institution.
* Qualified in one of the eligible fields.
Assistant Minister for Immigration, Matt Thistlethwaite, said тАЬMATES supports our migration priorities by attracting IndiaтАЩs talented graduates with in-demand skills, benefiting both nations by fostering professional growth in relevant Australian sectors.тАЭ
The MATES program is an example of AustraliaтАЩs growing appeal to Indian students, whose numbers have rebounded from COVID and stood at over 122,000 in 2024. It offers a seamless transition from study to work visas to respond to the growing need for skilled labor in Australia.
Important Information about the MATES Program:
* Visa places: 3,000 per year, open ballot.
* Eligible dependents: Spouses and children can join with work rights.
* Repeat Application: The applicants will make the application only once for MATES.
The MATES program concentrates on developing the economic and workforce development through the means of skilled migration between Australia and India, which are signatories to the MMPA signed on May 2023.
