Australia’s New MATES Visa Scheme to Benefit Indian Graduates and Young Professionals

By Daniel November 11, 2024
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Australia has introduced the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), a visa programme aimed at enhancing opportunities for Indian students and young professionals. This initiative, part of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), which was signed by Australia and India in May 2023, will enable Indian graduates to live and work in Australia for up to two years under the Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403) visa.

MATES is open to Indian nationals aged 30 or younger who have graduated within two years from top Indian institutions in fields such as renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, artificial intelligence, FinTech, and AgriTech. Eligible applicants must possess an overall IELTS score of at least 6 and must not have participated in MATES previously. Each year, 3,000 visa places will be available through a pre-application ballot system, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.

In addition to benefiting Indian graduates, MATES allows participants to bring dependents, who will also have work rights in Australia, without affecting the annual cap.

Matt Thistlethwaite, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Immigration, highlighted MATES as a “mutually beneficial” initiative, helping Australia attract skilled Indian graduates while providing them with valuable international experience. The scheme is set to launch in late 2024, reflecting Australia’s commitment to strengthening ties with India and creating pathways for skilled talent to thrive in both countries.

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

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