Learn about the new MATES initiative for young Indians in Australia! Spend two years working in Australia, investigate leading industries, and broaden your professional horizons. Find out more!

Australia’s Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professional Scheme (MATES) is a brand-new, fascinating program. This program promotes skill development and cross-cultural interaction by providing young Indian professionals and recent graduates with the chance to work in Australia for up to two years. This is a thorough explanation of the program that covers its goals, requirements for eligibility, expenses, and other important information.

What is MATES?

The Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), which Australia and India agreed on May 23, 2023, established the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professional Scheme (MATES). This paradigm tackles issues like irregular migration while fostering bilateral migration and mobility.

Key Objectives of MATES:

1. Permit Indian university graduates and early career professionals to travel temporarily.

2. Encourage the exchange of knowledge and talents between the two countries.

3. Bolster professional networks in vital fields like artificial intelligence, ICT, and renewable energy.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in MATES, applicants must meet the following requirements:

– When applying, you must be at least 30 years old.

– Possess a strong command of the English language (minimum IELTS score of 6, with at least 5 in each section).

– Possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in one of the following qualifying fields:

– Mining, engineering, and renewable energy

– Technology of Information and Communications (ICT)

– Financial Technology (FinTech) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

– Have completed their studies at an approved school within the last two years.

– Must have never taken part in the MATES program before.

Additional Notes:

1. The program is intended to foster professional development in the designated industries, however visa holders are not obligated to work in their field of study.
2. For this visa, an Australian employer’s sponsorship is not necessary.

Programme Highlights

Visa Duration and Entry Details:

Visa holders will have a full year to enter Australia for the first time.

After their initial admission, they are permitted to remain in Australia for a maximum of 24 months.

Multiple entries are permitted with the visa; however, time spent outside of Australia does not prolong its validity.

Bringing Dependents:

– Participants can include their Spouses and Dependent Children in the application.

– Dependents will have work rights and will not count toward the annual programme cap.

Programme Availability:

For primary applicants, MATES will start as a Pilot Program with 3,000 spots available each year.

Candidates may only take part in the program once.

Costs and Application Details

Visa Fees:

Soon, information regarding the visa subclass and related costs will be made public. Dependents included on the application may incur an extra charge.

Other Costs:

Applicants are responsible for:

– Costs for English language testing.

– Any additional fees associated with the application procedure.

Application Timeline:

In December 2024, the visa stream’s first ballot will go live.

Additional Insights

Other successful Australian programs, such the Working Holiday Maker visa, are built upon by the MATES program. In addition to offering participants chances for professional development, it seeks to improve relations between India and Australia by giving young Indians the chance to have worthwhile foreign experience.

If they match the qualifying conditions, MATES participants will also have the opportunity to look into methods to prolong their stay in Australia through other temporary or permanent visas.

An important step in supporting international talent exchange and young Indians’ professional development is Australia’s MATES program. Participants can expand their perspectives and add to the expanding cooperation between the two countries by supporting this project.