Australia (MATES)

The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), established under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) between Australia and India, facilitates the temporary mobility of Indian university graduates and early career professionals to Australia. This initiative aims to foster skills and knowledge exchange, benefiting both countries.

Eligibility Criteria for MATES:

Age:
- Applicants must be aged 30 or younger at the time of application.
Previous Participation:
- Applicants should not have previously participated in the MATES program.
Language Proficiency:
- Proficient English language skills are required. This is demonstrated by an overall IELTS score (or equivalent) of at least 6, with no less than 5 in each of the four parts.
Educational Background:
- Applicants must have graduated within the last 2 years from an eligible educational institution at the time of application.
Qualifications:
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher in one of the following fields:
  - Renewable Energy
  - Mining
  - Engineering
  - Information Communications Technology (ICT)
  - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  - Financial Technology (FinTech)
  - Agricultural Technology (AgriTech)

Key Features:

No Sponsorship Requirement:
- There is no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer to apply for a visa under the MATES program.

Objectives:

Mutual Benefits:
- The program is designed to encourage mutually-beneficial skills and knowledge transfer between Australia and India, enhancing professional development and international collaboration.

Additional Information:

The MATES scheme aligns with broader goals of the MMPA to support and promote two-way migration and mobility between Australia and India, while addressing issues related to illegal and irregular migration. This program provides a structured pathway for young professionals to gain international experience and contribute to the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

There will be no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer to be eligible to apply for a visa as part of MATES.

The MATES (Mobility Agreements for Talented and Educated Specialists) program offers several key features and benefits for participants:

Permitted Activities:

Living and Working: Participants can live and work in Australia for up to 2 years.
Field of Work: There is no strict requirement for visa holders to work in their nominated field of study, allowing flexibility in employment.
Skill and Network Expansion: The program aims to support young professionals in expanding their skills and networks, especially in specific sectors of interest.

Program Capacity:

Available Places: The program will initially start as a pilot with 3,000 places available for primary applicants each program year.

Family Inclusion:

Bringing Dependants: Participants can apply to bring dependants (spouses and dependent children) with them to Australia.
Work Rights for Dependants: Dependants will have work rights in Australia.
Exclusion from Annual Cap: Dependants will not count towards the annual cap of 3,000 places.

Duration of Stay:

Initial Entry: Visa holders have 12 months to make their first entry into Australia from the date of visa grant.
Total Duration: Once in Australia, they can stay for up to 24 months from the date of their first entry.
Multiple Entries: The visa allows for multiple entries to and from Australia during the 24-month period.

Extension and Further Stay:

Extension Options: Participants may extend their stay by applying for another visa that permits temporary or permanent residence, subject to meeting all eligibility requirements for the new visa.
Single Participation: MATES participants are not eligible to participate in the program more than once.