MATES: Australia’s New Visa Programme that can Benefit Indian Students

Australia has been an upcoming destination for students and professionals in the past decade. As per dataset provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, nearly 1.2 lakh Indian students are pursuing higher education from Australia this year.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of Indians traveling to Australia to fulfill their aspirations of studying abroad increased from 1,15,094 to 1,15,137. But in 2021 and 2022, the number dropped to 97,613 and 96,000, respectively, due to COVID limits. The number of Indian students studying overseas climbed once more once the Covid limitations were removed, reaching 1,24,829 in 2023. Since then, it has entirely recovered and is presently 1,22,202 in 2024.

After completing their education, many of these Indian students would like to remain in Australia and switch from a study visa to a work visa. In order to improve their professional profiles, a number of Indian graduates would also like to work in Australia.

In light of this, the new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) between Australia and India is fostering closer relations. This plan will go into effect in late 2024. Australia and India signed a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) on May 23, 2023.

Indian university graduates and early career professionals from the country’s best universities can apply for the Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403) MATES stream visa, which will allow them to live and work in Australia for a maximum of two years. Participants in MATES, however, will not be permitted to participate in this program 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).

According to the official announcement, a visa pre-application voting method will be used to choose applicants for MATES in a fair, efficient, and transparent manner. Each year, 3,000 temporary visa spots will be distributed. Renewable energy, mining, engineering, information and communication technology, artificial intelligence, financial technology, and agricultural technology are among the subjects that qualify.

Participants in MATES will also have the option to apply to bring dependents, such as spouses and dependent children. In Australia, these dependents will likewise be able to work and will not be subject to the annual cap.

By drawing some of India’s most gifted graduates with in-demand knowledge and skills to Australia, MATES—the flagship mobility offer in the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement—supports our migration priorities.

According to Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Government of Australia, “MATES is advantageous to both countries, enabling young Indian professionals with the appropriate credentials to use and expand their skills and experience in relevant Australian industries.”