What’s Australia’s New Job Programme For Young Indians? Eligibility, Cost, Visa Details Explained – News18
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The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professional Scheme (MATES) offers Indian university graduates and early career professionals to work in Australia for two years. Indians who are aged 30 or younger are eligible
There will be no sponsorship requirement by an Australian employer to be eligible to apply for a visa as part of MATES. (Image for representation: AFP)
Australia will be starting a new job programme from December, which will allow talented young Indians to work Down Under.
The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professional Scheme (MATES) offers Indian university graduates and early career professionals to work in Australia for two years.
What Is MATES?
On May 23, 2023, Australia and India entered into a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), which is a bilateral framework that supports and promotes two-way migration and mobility between our two countries while addressing issues pertaining to illegal and irregular migration.
MATES established under the MMPA aims at temporary mobility of Indian university graduates and early career professionals.
MATES offers mutually-beneficial skills and knowledge transfer between Australia and India.
Who Are Eligible?
• 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 2 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)
While there is no strict requirement for visa holders to work in their nominated field of study, MATES is designed to support young professionals expand their skills and networks, particularly in the sectors listed above.
There will be no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer to be eligible to apply for a visa as part of MATES.
MATES will commence as a pilot programmes with 3,000 places for primary applicants per programme year.
Participants will be able to apply to bring dependants (spouses and dependent children). Dependants will have work rights in Australia, and will not count towards the annual cap.
How Long Can Visa Holders Stay In Australia?
Visa holders will get 12 months to make their first entry into Australia, and may stay in Australia up to 24 months from the date of first entry. The visa will allow multiple entries to Australia.
MATES participants may extend their period of stay in Australia by applying for another visa permitting temporary or permanent residence, provided they meet all eligibility requirements for the visa.
MATES participants are not eligible to take part in the Scheme more than once.
What About The Cost?
Information about the visa subclass and associated application fees will be available soon. There may be an additional fee to add subsequent dependent family members to the MATES application.
Applicants will be responsible for paying for other costs related to their application, including English language testing fees. The first ballot for this visa stream opens for registrations from December 2024.
You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you want while the visa is valid. But the time you spend outside Australia does not extend the visa.
About Australia’s New Visa Programme
Around 40,000 applications were submitted within just two weeks for a mere 1,000 available spots for Australia’s new Working Holiday Maker visa programme, Australian Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite had revealed.
At the launch event of the programme in New Delhi, Thistlethwaite highlighted how the initiative will strengthen the growing ties between India and Australia by allowing young Indians aged 18 to 30 to live, work, and study in Australia for up to a year.
Thistlethwaite said the visa offers young Indians a chance to gain a valuable experience by working across various sectors in Australia. He noted that many participants are expected to work in hospitality and agriculture, though they have the freedom to explore other industries and even take short courses to improve skills like English proficiency.
This visa offers young Indians a taste of what life in Australia is like,” Thistlethwaite said. He suggested those who experience culture in Australia through this visa could be motivated to return later on student or skilled worker visas, further expanding their horizons.
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