Kickstart Your Career in Australia with the MATES Programme

Australia has launched an exciting new initiative called the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professional Scheme (MATES). This programme offers young Indian professionals and recent graduates the opportunity to work in Australia for up to two years, fostering skill development and cultural exchange. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the programme, including its objectives, eligibility criteria, costs, and other essential details.

What is MATES?

The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professional Scheme (MATES) was established under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), signed on May 23, 2023, between Australia and India. This framework promotes bilateral migration and mobility while addressing challenges like irregular migration.

Key Objectives of MATES:

• Enable temporary mobility of Indian university graduates and early career professionals.
• Facilitate skills and knowledge transfer between the two nations.
• Strengthen professional networks across critical sectors like renewable energy, ICT, and artificial intelligence.

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Be 30 years old or younger at the time of application.
• Have proficient English language skills (minimum IELTS score of 6 overall, with at least 5 in each section).
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification in eligible fields, such as:
  • Renewable energy
  • Mining
  • Engineering
  • Information Communications Technology (ICT)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Financial Technology (FinTech)
• Have graduated within two years from an eligible educational institution.
• Must not have previously participated in the MATES programme.

Additional Notes:

• While visa holders are not required to work in their field of study, the programme is designed to support professional growth in the specified industries.
• Sponsorship from an Australian employer is not required for this visa.

Programme Highlights

Visa Duration and Entry Details:

• Visa holders will have 12 months to make their first entry into Australia.
• They can stay in Australia for up to 24 months from their initial entry.
• The visa allows for multiple entries, but time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa 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:

• MATES will commence as a pilot programme with 3,000 slots available annually for primary applicants.
• Applicants can only participate once in the scheme.

Costs and Application Details

Visa Fees:

Details about the visa subclass and associated fees will be announced soon. An additional fee may apply for dependents included in the application.

Other Costs:

Applicants are responsible for:

• English language testing fees.
• Any other costs related to the application process.

Application Timeline:

The first ballot for the visa stream opens in December 2024.

Additional Insights

The MATES programme builds on the success of other Australian initiatives, such as the Working Holiday Maker visa. By enabling young Indians to gain valuable international experience, it aims to strengthen ties between India and Australia while providing participants with professional growth opportunities.

MATES participants will also have the option to explore pathways to extend their stay in Australia through other temporary or permanent visas, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Australia’s MATES programme is a significant step toward fostering global talent exchange and professional growth for young Indians. By embracing this initiative, participants can broaden their horizons and contribute to the growing collaboration between the two nations.